Crop Conditions Deteriorating, Still 68% of Corn, 65% of Soybeans Rated Good to Excellent

Aug 22, 2018

The USDA's national good to excellent ratings for corn and soybeans both declined modestly over the past week. Some of the drier parts of the U.S. Midwest saw only scattered rainfall over the weekend, but condition ratings typically decline as crops get closer to harvest and both corn and beans remain in better shape than this time last year.

As of Sunday, 68% of U.S. corn is rated good to excellent, 2% lower than last week, but up 6% from last year, with 85% at the dough making stage and 44% dented, both ahead of their respective five-year averages of 72% and 26%.

65% of U.S. soybeans are called good to excellent, 1% less than a week ago, but 6% more than a year ago with 91% in the pod setting stage, compared to 83% on average.

74% of U.S. spring wheat is in good to excellent condition, down 1% on the week, but up 40% on the year, with 60% of the crop harvested, compared to the usual pace of 44%.

Click here to see more...

Video: How farmers are protecting the soil and our food security | DW Documentary

For a long time, soil was all but ignored. But for years, the valuable humus layer has been thinning. Farmers in Brandenburg are clearly feeling the effects of this on their sandy fields. Many are now taking steps to prepare their farms for the future.

Years of drought, record rainfall and failed harvests: we are becoming increasingly aware of how sensitively our environment reacts to extreme weather conditions. Farmers' livelihoods are at stake. So is the ability of consumers to afford food.

For a few years now, agriculture that focuses solely on maximum yields has been regarded with increasing skepticism. It is becoming more and more clear just how dependent we are on healthy soils.

Brandenburg is the federal state with the worst soil quality in Germany. The already thin, fertile humus layer has been shrinking for decades. Researchers and farmers who are keen to experiment are combating these developments and looking for solutions. Priority is being given to building up the humus layer, which consists of microorganisms and fungi, as well as springtails, small worms and centipedes.

For Lena and Philipp Adler, two young vegetable farmers, the tiny soil creatures are invaluable helpers. On their three-hectare organic farm, they rely on simple, mechanical weed control, fallow areas where the soil can recover, and diversity. Conventional farmer Mark Dümichen also does everything he can to protect soil life on his land. For years, he has not tilled the soil after the harvest and sows directly into the field. His yields have stabilized since he began to work this way.

Isabella Krause from Regionalwert AG Berlin-Brandenburg is convinced after the experiences of the last hot summers that new crops will thrive on Brandenburg's fields in the long term. She has founded a network of farmers who are promoting the cultivation of chickpeas with support from the scientific community.