Above average temperatures and lack of precipitation has increased drought stress in the US Midwest, with corn and soybean conditions deteriorating in 80pc of both crops, according to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
For the week ending 3 September US corn conditions deteriorated to 53pc rated good to excellent (g/e) compared with 56pc the prior week, according to the USDA. Of the 18 reporting states, 11 saw conditions deteriorate, four improved and three remained constant. Illinois and South Dakota, representing 18pc of corn production, had the largest decrease with Illinois currently at 57pc g/e compared with 67pc last week, and South Dakota at 44pc currently compared with 54pc the prior week.
The 6-10 day outlook from the National Weather Service shows below average temperatures and near normal to above average precipitation. Last week's hot spell might have already had an effect on the US corn crop, however, as 15 states have already begun to harvest, with Illinois the most notable at 1pc harvested. Next week the USDA will begin to publish the corn harvest progress.
Soybeans had a similar story, with the crop deteriorating to 53pc rated g/e compared with the prior week at 58pc. Of the 18 reporting states, 12 had conditions deteriorate, three remained constant and three improved. Illinois and Kansas, representing 18pc of soybean production, had the largest decrease in conditions with Illinois dropping to 58pc g/e compared to 68pc the prior week, and Kansas at 25pc g/e compared with last week at 37pc.
With the lack of precipitation and above average temperatures, topsoil moisture conditions deteriorated for 18 of the 21 states, while two improved and one remained the same. Illinois and Iowa, the two largest corn and soybean producers, saw topsoil moisture rated short to very short increase to 56pc and 75pc, respectively, compared with the prior week at 43pc and 68pc.
Spring wheat harvesting continued with 74pc complete for the current week as compared to 77pc for the five-year average.
Winter wheat planting has begun with 1pc planted for the current week compared with 3pc for the five-year average. Kansas, the largest winter wheat producer at 25pc, has planted 1pc for the current week compared with zero for the five-year average. Washington, the second largest producer at 9pc, has planted 9pc of its winter wheat compared with 18pc for its five-year average.
