Both numbers are just slight overall declines (1% and 2%, respectively) from last week's crop ratings, but the gap between the 2 best and 2 worst categories is widening; as of Sunday, right at half of the nation's corn crop is in very poor or poor condition, while the same is true for 39% of the nation's soybeans.
"I feel it wasn't so much not receiving rain as the heat the last 2 week really hit us. Different story on the soybeans, as the last few rain have really helped them out; I would think there's a chance at 50- to 60-bushel soybeans coming out of northern Iowa," says Agriculture.com Marketing Talk frequent contributor north ia farmer. "The report out of northern Iowa is that the corn stinks and soybeans have a very good chance."
The slide in conditions was possibly eased by rainfall that moved through the Midwest over the weekend. While as much as 3 to 4 inches fell in some spots, the average total of between 1 and 2 inches helped, but not enough to make a huge dent in the drought.
"We had some rain south of I-80 over the weekend, and it was very welcome, even if it may have been too late for the corn crop. I certainly hope it helps out test weight and gives the beans a chance at better yield prospects," says Cargill senior grain merchandiser in Eddyville, Iowa, Ray Jenkins. "If nothing else we will start to add to the soil moisture profile, but knowing full well we have a long, long way to go to have enough moisture to grow a good crop in 2013.
