USDA reports crop and soil moisture status

By Scout Nelson

According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), there were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 8, 2024. Topsoil moisture was rated 12% very short, 32% short, 54% adequate, and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture was reported as 12% very short, 25% short, 60% adequate, and 3% surplus.

Field Crops Report:

Corn condition was rated 2% very poor, 5% poor, 23% fair, 54% good, and 16% excellent. Corn dough progress reached 96%, in line with last year and near the five-year average of 94%. Corn dented was 63%, slightly behind last year’s 72% and the 66% average. Corn maturity was at 10%, behind 15% last year and 17% average.

Soybean conditions were rated 2% very poor, 7% poor, 24% fair, 54% good, and 13% excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 98%, near 99% last year and equal to the five-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves were reported at 16%, well behind last year’s 33% and the 30% average.

Winter wheat planting progress was at 12%, close to last year’s 14% and ahead of the 8% average. Spring wheat harvest reached 97%, near last year’s 98% and the five-year average.

Sorghum condition was rated 3% very poor, 3% poor, 20% fair, 72% good, and 2% excellent. Sorghum coloring was 86%, ahead of last year’s 79% and the 78% average. However, sorghum maturity was only 5%, lagging 22% last year and the 20% average.

Sunflower conditions were 6% very poor, 6% poor, 24% fair, 59% good, and 5% excellent. The sunflower crop was behind in several growth stages, with ray flowers dry at 46%, compared to 65% last year.

Pasture and Range Report:

Pasture and range conditions were rated as 15% very poor, 22% poor, 26% fair, 31% good, and 6% excellent, reflecting the challenges faced in maintaining pasture quality across the U.S.

Photo Credit:gettyimages-tlillico