Nearly half of the corn crop and 28% of soybeans in this state rated poor/very poor

The conditions of North Carolina’s corn, soybeans, and select other crops, as rated by USDA in its weekly Crop Progress report, have been steadily declining over the past few weeks. Here’s a closer look at the numbers and what the state climatologist has to say about the trend. 

Corn conditions

According to Monday’s Crop Progress report, USDA rated a striking 49% of North Carolina’s corn very poor/poor for the week ending June 23. Only 30% of the corn crop rated good/excellent. 

These numbers come after weeks of already steadily declining corn conditions. As of the week ending June 2 (the first week USDA issued corn condition ratings), only 3% of the state’s corn rated poor (none rated very poor) while 81% rated good/excellent. As of the week ending June 9, 7% of the state’s corn rated very poor/poor while 73% rated good/excellent. Finally, as of the week ending June 16, 23% of the state’s corn crop rated very poor/poor while just 52% rated good/excellent. 

Soybean conditions

As for soybeans, a total of 28% rated very poor/poor as of June 23. Good/excellent soybeans combined were just 34%.

Like corn, soybean conditions across the state have only declined since the first ratings of the season were reported. As of the week ending June 9 (the first week USDA reported soybean condition ratings), only 5% of the state’s soybeans rated very poor/poor while 77% rated good/excellent. For the week ending June 16, 13% of the soybean crop rated very poor/poor while 61% rated good/excellent.

Other crop conditions

According to USDA, other crops in North Carolina have also declined to their worst conditions since late May/early June.

North Carolina’s cotton crop rated 17% very poor/poor and just 40% good (none rated excellent) as of June 23. This compared to only 2% of the crop rating poor (none rated very poor) and 86% rating good/excellent the week ending June 2. 

The state’s peanut crop rated 13% very poor/poor and 48% good/excellent as of June 23. For the week ending June 2, none of the state’s peanuts were in very poor/poor shape, and 89% rated good/excellent. 

North Carolina’s winter wheat has seen the least drastic decline of the state’s crops included in the Crop Progress report. As of the week ending June 23, 8% of the state’s winter wheat rated very poor/poor and 64% rated good/excellent. This is compared to 4% rated very poor/poor and 71% rated good/excellent the week ending June 2. 

Finally, pasture and range conditions have also declined steadily in North Carolina. According to Monday’s report, USDA rated 23% of the state’s pasture and range condition very poor/poor and only 32% good (none rated excellent). Three weeks prior — the week ending June 2 — only 3% of the state’s pasture and range was in very poor/poor shape, and 90% rated good/excellent. 

Corn past the point of recovery

Kathie Dello is North Carolina’s state climatologist and the director of the North Carolina State Climate Office. Dello said she is not surprised at the rapid decline in crop conditions. “Many places have gone weeks without measurable precipitation in a crucial time for corn's development. I've also heard about the tough conditions from growers,” she said. 

According to Dello, “This year, we're coming off a very mild winter.”

The last freeze in Raleigh, North Carolina was unusually early on Feb. 22, she said. Dello said this is only the second March in recorded history with no temperatures below 32°F for the state’s capital city.

Comparing this growing season to a year ago, Dello said, “Last year's spring and early summer was cooler and wetter, but it warmed up quickly in July.”

According to Dello, the state’s “elevated temperatures and lack of rain have exacerbated drought conditions.” She added, “Without rain, we expect to see drought emerging statewide.”

Dello said since it’s tropical storm season and the Atlantic is looking more active, there is the potential for conditions to turn around pretty quickly. However, that would require some much-needed rain, and soon. Unfortunately, according to Dello, there’s not much rain in the forecast.

With so much of the state’s corn in poor and very poor condition, the overall outlook is grim. Dello said that, according to a USDA contact of hers, “The ​​corn crop is in such bad shape that there's no return for it.”