The weeks-long decline in overall Upper Midwest crop conditions has leveled off, but much of the crop still suffers badly from drought, according to a new federal government report.
The weekly crop progress report, released Monday by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, found widespread drought-stressed crops in the week ending July 23, despite slight improvement for some crops in some states.
In South Dakota, 37 percent of corn was rated poor or very poor on July 23. That compares with 38 percent a week earlier, 28 percent two weeks earlier and 22 percent three weeks earlier.
North Dakota corn was rated 23 percent poor or very poor, compared with 24 percent a week earlier, 20 percent two weeks earlier and 16 percent three weeks earlier.
In Minnesota, 4 percent of corn was in poor or very poor shape, compared with 5 percent a week earlier, 4 percent two weeks earlier and 3 percent three weeks earlier.
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Soybeans showed both small declines and small improvement from the previous week.
In South Dakota, 34 percent of soybeans were rated poor or very poor, compared with 33 percent a week earlier, 28 percent two weeks earlier and 23 percent three weeks earlier.
North Dakota soybeans were rated 23 percent poor or very poor, compared with 25 percent a week earlier, 19 percent two weeks earlier and 17 percent three weeks earlier.
Minnesota's soybean crop was rated 6 percent poor or very poor, unchanged from the previous week but up from 5 percent both two weeks and three weeks earlier.
The next few weeks could be particularly important for Upper Midwest soybeans, which rely heavily on August precipitation to develop normally.
Among other findings in the report:
Spring wheat
South Dakota - Seventy-six percent was rated poor or very poor, compared with 74 percent a week earlier, 72 percent two weeks earlier and 65 percent three weeks earlier.
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Montana - Fifty-five percent was in poor or very poor condition, compared with 61 percent a week earlier, 62 percent two weeks earlier and 51 percent three weeks earlier.
North Dakota - Thirty-nine percent was rated poor or very poor, compared with 40 percent a week earlier, 35 percent two weeks earlier and 30 percent three weeks earlier.
Minnesota - Three percent was in poor or very poor shape, compared with 2 percent a week earlier and 1 percent in each of the previous two weeks.
Range and pasture
North Dakota - Seventy-five percent was rated poor or very poor, compared with 74 percent a week earlier, 69 percent two weeks earlier and 62 percent three weeks earlier.
South Dakota - Seventy-three percent was in poor or very poor shape, compared with 68 percent a week earlier, 59 percent two weeks earlier and 57 percent three weeks earlier.
Montana - Fifty-six percent was rated poor or very poor, compared with 58 percent a week earlier, 51 percent two weeks earlier and 42 percent three weeks earlier.
Minnesota - Seven percent was in poor or very poor condition, compared with 6 percent in each of the previous three weeks.
