USDA: Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin

Corn: By week’s end, 96 percent of this year’s corn crop had emerged, 4 percentage points behind last year and 3 points behind the 5-year average. Warmer, drier weather in portions of the Corn Belt not only benefited the developing crop, but also provided producers with time to plant their remaining acreage during the week. Overall, 65 percent of the corn crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up slightly from last week and 9 percentage points above the same time last year.

Soybeans: By June 23, producers had planted 92 percent of the soybean crop. This was 7 percentage points behind last year and 3 points behind the 5-year average. In Indiana, favorable early-week weather allowed producers time to complete a variety of fieldwork that had previously been delayed by prolonged rainfall and saturated soils. Nationally, 81 percent of the soybean crop had emerged by week’s end, 17 percentage points behind last year and 8 points behind the 5-year average. Heavy rainfall in portions of the northern Great Plains led to localized flooding and some crop damage during the week. Overall, 65 percent of the soybean crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up slightly from last week and 12 percentage points above the same time last year.

Winter Wheat: Ninety-five percent of the winter wheat crop was at or beyond the heading stage by week’s end, 2 percentage points behind last year but on par with the 5-year average. In Kansas, where above-average temperatures and windy conditions promoted rapid crop maturation, 92 percent of the winter wheat crop was reported to be turning color, with 47 percent ripe. Nationwide, 20 percent of this year’s winter wheat crop was harvested by June 23, forty-three percentage points behind last year and 17 points behind the 5-year average. Overall, 32 percent of the winter wheat crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up slightly from last week but 22 percentage points below the same time last year.

Cotton: By week’s end, 23 percent of the nation’s cotton crop was at or beyond the squaring stage, 11 percentage points behind last year and 6 points behind the 5-year average. In Texas, much-needed rainfall boosted crop conditions in most northern regions; however, producers on the Plains were planning to replant some fields damaged by hail during the week. Overall, 43 percent of the cotton crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up slightly from last week but 7 percentage points below the same time last year.

Sorghum: Producers had planted 92 percent of this year’s sorghum crop by June 23, two percentage points behind last year but 2 points ahead of the 5-year average. Favorable weather in Kansas spurred fieldwork during the week, pushing overall planting progress for the state ahead of the average pace. Nationally, 23 percent of the sorghum crop was at or beyond the heading stage by week’s end, 3 percentage points behind last year but slightly ahead of the 5-year average. In Texas, nearly one-quarter of the crop had reached maturity, as producers in the Lower Valley prepared to harvest. Overall, 54 percent of the sorghum crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up slightly from last week and 10 percentage points above the same time last year.

Rice: By June 23, three percent of the rice crop was headed, 12 percentage points behind last year and 3 points behind the 5-year average. Overall, 68 percent of the rice crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from last week but 3 percentage points below the same time last year.

Other Small Grains: By week’s end, 53 percent of the oat crop was at or beyond the heading stage, 35 percentage points behind last year and 12 points behind the 5-year average. In Wisconsin, some oat fields were being chopped for forage during the week. Overall, 57 percent of the oat crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from last week but 12 percentage points below the same time last year. Ninety-three percent of the barley crop had been sown by June 23, seven percentage points behind last year and 5 points behind the 5-year average. Seeding was complete in Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, and Washington, but additional rainfall in North Dakota limited progress— with only an additional 3 percent sown during the week. Nationally, 91 percent of the barley crop had emerged by week’s end, 9 percentage points behind last year and 6 points behind the 5-year average. Overall, 69 percent of the barley crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up 2 percentage points from last week and 3 points better than the same time last year.

Spring wheat producers had sown 96 percent of this year’s crop by week’s end, 4 percentage points behind last year and 3 points behind the 5-year average. Nationwide, 90 percent of the spring wheat crop had emerged by June 23, ten percentage points behind last year and 7 points behind the 5-year average. Timely rainfall in the Pacific Northwest improved crop conditions during the week. Overall, 70 percent of the spring wheat crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up
2 percentage points from last week but 7 points below the same time last year.

Other Crops: By June 23, eleven percent of the peanut crop was pegging, 14 percentage points behind last year and 4 points behind the 5-year average. In Alabama, producers replanted some fields due to wildlife damage. Overall, 68 percent of the peanut crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up 2 percentage points from last week but slightly below the same time last year. By week’s end, 78 percent of the sunflower crop was planted, 17 percentage points behind last year and 11 points behind the 5-year average.

Source: USDA