USDA reports mixed U.S. crop conditions and declining pasture ratings

The latest USDA crop progress report indicates mixed conditions for U.S. agriculture. Nationally, 56% of the corn crop is rated good to excellent, a 1% decrease from the previous week, with 5% of the crop harvested. Soybean conditions remain steady at 58% good to excellent. Cotton ratings fell by 5 points to 34% good to excellent, while rice saw a slight increase to 73% good to excellent.

In the southern plains, pasture and range conditions have deteriorated significantly. Oklahoma's good to excellent pasture ratings dropped to 7%, compared to 65% a year ago, with 69% of the region now rated poor to very poor. Kansas and Texas also reported declines in good to excellent conditions compared to last year. Nationally, 53% of U.S. pastures and rangelands are currently in poor to very poor condition.