The latest crop progress report from USDA, out Monday afternoon and covering the week through August 2, showed corn and soybean crop quality trending unexpectedly lower after a modest drop for both commodities. Spring wheat crop conditions exceeded expectations, meantime, while the winter wheat harvest continues to press ever closer to the finish line.
Corn quality ratings faded another two points lower this past week, with 61% of the crop now in good-to-excellent condition. Analysts were expecting that number to hold steady, with individual trade guesses ranging between 61% and 64%. Another 25% of the crop is rated fair (unchanged from last week), with the remaining 14% rated poor or very poor (up two points from last week).
Physiologically, almost all (90%) of the crop is now silking, up from 78% a week ago and ahead of the prior five-year average of 87%. Nearly half (43%) of the crop is at dough stage, up from 25% last week. And 6% of the crop is now dented, versus the prior five-year average of 5%.
Soybean quality ratings also dropped this past week, with 63% of the crop still in good-to-excellent condition through August 2. Analysts were expecting to see a one-point improvement, however. Another 28% of the crop is rated fair (unchanged from last week), with the remaining 9% rated poor or very poor (also unchanged from last week).
Physiologically, 88% of the crop is now blooming, up from 80% a week ago and favorable to the prior five-year average of 84%. And 62% is now setting pods, up from 47% last week and moderately ahead of the prior five-year average of 55%.
The winter wheat harvest continues at a slower clip than expected, with 86% completion through Sunday. That was a bit below the average trade guess of 89% but still mirrors the prior five-year average. USDA has marked 9 of the top 18 production states as 100% complete at this time.
Spring wheat crop quality came in better than expected, with 55% of the crop now rated in good-to-excellent condition. Analysts were anticipating a one-point drop, in contrast. Another 33% of the crop is rated fair (up one point from last week), with the remaining 12% rated poor or very poor (down three points from last week).
Physiologically, 98% of the crop is now headed, which is slightly ahead of the prior five-year average of 97%. Harvest is just getting started, with 5% completion through August 2. That’s slightly ahead of 2025’s pace of 4% but behind the prior five-year average of 8%.
Click here for additional data points from the latest crop progress report, including a state-by-state look at topsoil and subsoil moisture, days suitable for fieldwork and more.