USDA Crop Progress: Derecho Dings Corn, Soybean Quality
By Ben Potter, Delta Farm Press
Storms last week brought hurricane-force winds through the Midwest in an unusual system called a “derecho,” and analysts expected crop quality to take a spill because of it. USDA delivered on those expectations Monday afternoon when it released its latest crop progress report, covering the week through August 16.
Corn quality saw a two-point decline, with 69% of the crop now rated in good-to-excellent condition. Analysts were expecting a three-point drop, however. Another 21% of the crop is rated fair (unchanged from a week ago), with the remaining 10% rated poor or very poor (up two points from last week). States hit hardest by the storms naturally saw the biggest declines – Iowa, for example, tumbled ten points lower to land at 59% in good-to-excellent condition.