U.S. corn and soybean good to excellent ratings fell last week and development is slower than average. Crop quality and development have been hampered by a recent hot, dry pattern in much of the region and while a more mild pattern has settled in, weekend rainfall totals were below expectations in some areas and most forecasts have a return to higher, drier conditions next week.
The USDA says 61% of U.S. corn rated good to excellent, 3% lower than last week, with 62% of the crop silking, compared to the five-year average of 70%, and 13% at the dough making stage, compared to 15% on average.