An estimated 53% of Iowa's 2012 drought-stricken corn crop remains in "poor to very poor" condition, and only 15% is in good condition. Soybeans are in a little better shape statewide as they've benefitted from recent rains and cooler temperatures. Iowa's soybean crop is now setting pods.
The weekly Iowa Weather & Crop Report, issued August 20 by the Iowa office of USDA's National Ag Statistics Service in Des Moines, says 37% of the state's soybean crop is rated poor to very poor, while 25% is good to excellent. That's based on the statewide survey for the week ending August 19.
Ninety-one percent of Iowa's topsoil and subsoil is rated below normal for moisture. A year ago Iowa's corn was rated 67% good to excellent and 8% poor to very poor.
DROUGHT STRICKEN: Corn plants turning yellow and brown prematurely have been a common sight in drought-stricken areas of Iowa this summer.
A year ago soybeans were rated 70% good to excellent and 8% poor to very poor.
Nationally corn rates 51% poor to very poor; 38% of beans are in that category
Nationally 51% of the corn crop and 38% of the soybean crop is rated poor to very poor, according to the weekly USDA survey. A year ago 17% of U.S. corn crop was in poor to very poor condition. Yesterday, corn futures closed up 17 cents per bushel for the December 2012 contract to $8.15 per bushel on August 20. Soybean prices were up 33 cents per bushel to a $17.03 close on August 20.