Here we are, smack dab in the middle of spring. April is behind us. May is nearly over, and June and summer lie ahead.
A Deeper Look At Early Corn Conditions: As I mentioned above, many producers I've been speaking with aren't overly impressed or excited about the current conditions of their corn crop. Nobody seems to horribly disappointed, but nobody is saying this is their best looking crop either. There's simply a lot of wet ground right now and nobody seems 100% certain as to how it will ultimately play itself out.
The USDA released it's first condition rating of the U.S corn crop yesterday and showed 74% of the crop rated "Good-to-Excellent". Perhaps more important is the fact they are showing very little is in "Poor-to-Very Poor" condition.
Consider the following: Ohio has 0% of the crop in "Poor-to-Very Poor" condition; IA, MI, ND, PA, WI just 1% of their crop rated "Poor-to-Very Poor"; IN & MN just 2%; CO, IL & KY just 3%; NC & TN 4%; MO 6%; NE & SD 7%; TX 8%; KS 9%. The graphic below shows statewide crop-conditions.
Since the USDA didn't release overall "corn conditions" until the first week in June last year, we will wait to provide state-by-state annual comparisons. Also keep in mind these numbers can shift dramatically once more of the crop is actually "emerged".
The southern Plains have been absolutely pounded by rains this month. Oklahoma has set an all time record monthly rainfall total, reaching 18.69 inches as of yesterday morning. This is more than the average precipitation over a five month period from March through July. Amazingly, every day since May 5 — thats 20 straight days — has brought at least 4 inches of rainfall to at least one location in the state of Texas. Other cities experiencing all-time totals include: Wichita, KS; Colorado Springs, CO; Lincoln, NE; Lubbock Texas, TX; Corpus Christi, TX; and Fort Smith, AR.