There’s a crucial week setting up for US farmers, AccuWeather predicts

By John Roach, AccuWeather staff writer

It was more of the same for United States farmers, based on data released Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – and that’s not good.

For the sixth straight week, the condition of corn and soybeans considered “good” or “excellent” has been 60% or lower. Monday’s USDA report had the condition of corn at 57% and the condition of soybeans at 54%, according to data from 18 key corn- and soybean-producing states.

Last year at this time, corn was at 72% and soybeans were 70%.

“It’s just not improving so far,” said AccuWeather seniormeteorologist Jason Nicholls. “We’re not going to get to last year’s numbers – 176 bushels per acre for the country as a whole. It’s just a matter of how far below it will be.”

Heat to expand northward over interior northwestern US early this week 
Southwestern US on alert for haboobs, flash flooding as monsoon ramps up this week 
Showers and thunderstorms signal approach of cooler and drier air 
Heat relief to come at expense of dangerous weather in central, northeastern US

Extended rain and flooding during much of the planting season made for a difficult start to the season for U.S. farmers, and the weather hasn’t allowed for recovery.

Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Michigan have the lowest percentages in both corn and soybean conditions.

AccuWeather meteorologists call for cool weather early this week, with warmer weather later in the week. Mainly dry weather this week will give way to scattered rains with a cold front early next week.

“The week starting Aug. 5 looks like it’s going to be a really critical week because we’re starting to run out of time a little bit,” said Nicholls. “If we get a dry week this week, some rain next week, then if it’s another dry week, farmers are going to get hurt a little more. People are really going to key in on that week in August.”

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