Status of the 2024 Corn and Soybean Crops

The USDA Crop Progress Report released on July 1^st documented completed planting for corn and soybeans and emergence and emergence of all corn for the 2024 season. Soybean emergence advanced 5 percent to 95 percent, 5 percent in advance of the equivalent week in 2023.

Based on the sum of the “Adequate” and “Surplus” categories, surface and subsoil moisture levels were higher than during the corresponding week in 2023. For the past week surface and subsoil moisture values were both 72 percent for the two highest categories of ‘Adequate’ and ‘Surplus’ representing an acceptable situation for early growth in 2024. These levels were essentially unchanged from the previous week despite hot and dry conditions. Corresponding values of 58 and 52 percent were recorded for the two highest categories for topsoil and subsoil moisture respectively in 2023. High temperature across the Midwest and Plains states was reflected in a slight deterioration in crop condition.

It is too early in the expected transition to a La Nina event to predict any impact on crop condition in coming months. If prolonged dry and hot weather is encountered in corn and soy areas, yield will be depressed depending on timing and severity.  A long-range forecast in the form of two charts is provided predicting rainfall and temperature during the growing season.

Reference is made to the June 12^th WASDE Report #649 and the weekly Commodity, Economy and Energy Report, both in this edition, documenting acreage to be harvested, yields, weekly prices and ending stocks. The July WASDE will be reviewed in the July 19^th edition.

Heat stress during silking predisposes corn to fungal infection leading to mycotoxin contamination of kernels. The status of the 2024 crop will require monitoring at harvest in affected areas and especially if unseasonal precipitation occurs during the late growing period.

WEEK ENDING   Corn Status (18 states) * June 23rd  2024        June 30th  2024 5-Year Average  Corn Planted (%) 100 100 100 Corn Emerged (%) 97 100 100 Corn Silking (%) 4 11 6 Soybean Status (18 states)       Soybean planted (%) 97 100 100 Soybean Emerged (%) 90 95 90 Soybeans Blooming (%) 8 20 15 Soybeans Setting Pods (%) 0 3 2 *92% of 2023 acreage planted	Emerging Soybean Plants
Crop Condition  V. Poor Poor Fair Good Excellent Corn  2024 (%) 3 6 24 52 15 Corn  2023 (%) 4 11 34 43 8             Soybeans  2024 (%) 2 6 25 55 12 Soybeans  2023 (%) 4 11 35 44 6	Emerging Corn Plants
Parameter  48 States V. Short Short Adequate Surplus Topsoil Moisture:         Past Week 7 21 60 12 Past Year 13 29 54 4 Subsoil Moisture:         Past Week 7 21 61 11 Past Year 15 33 49 3

EGG-NEWS will report on the progress of the two major crops as monitored by the USDA through to the end of the 2024 harvest in November.