USDA Crop Progress: Corn Quality Falls, while Soybean Quality Improves
By Ben Potter, Delta Farm Press
Analysts were expecting to see crop ratings for soybeans fall a point when USDA released its latest crop progress report Monday afternoon, but the agency failed to comply with those expectations – adding a point instead. Analysts also anticipated corn quality ratings would hold steady, but they fell by a point this past week.
Through Sunday, 71% of this year’s corn crop is now rated in good-to-excellent condition, down from 72% a week ago. Another 21% is rated fair (steady from last week), with the remaining 8% rated poor or very poor (up a point from last week). Statewide ratings still vary widely. Colorado sits on the lower end of the quality spectrum (40% G/E), while Kentucky (87% G/E) now claims top “garden spot” status among the top 18 production states.