Crops clip along, as quality fades

WASHINGTON, July 24 (UPI) -- U.S. crops are maturing quickly, but conditions remain fragile due to a prolonged summer drought, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's weekly report indicates.

The report released late Monday indicated 22 percent of the U.S. corn crop has reached the dough stage, a stage that defines the texture of the kernels.

In the past five years, the crop has averaged 9 percent in the dough stage at this week of the year. On the other hand, in the previous weekly report, 27 percent of the crop was listed in good shape and 4 percent in excellent shape. In the most recent report, 23 percent is listed as good and 3 percent as excellent. The difference is taken up by the lower ratings of very poor, poor and fair.

Similarly, farmers report 36 percent of the soybean crop is setting pods. The historic average is 19 percent for this time of year.

Farmers reported deteriorating conditions for soybeans as well. The report for the previous week said 30 percent of the crop was in good condition and 4 percent in excellent. In the most recent week, 27 percent is listed as good and 4 percent as excellent.

The condition of peanuts broke even in the week, while farmers list 78 percent of the peanut crop is in the pegging stage. The long term average is 70 percent for this time of year.

Similarly, 54 percent of the rice crop has headed out, compared to an average of 30 percent for this week of July. Conditions of the crop also held about even in the week, with less of the crop listed as in excellent shape, but more of it listed as good.

Farmers report the winter wheat harvest is 82 percent done, compared to a five-year average of 73 percent.

For spring wheat, 98 percent has headed out, compared to a long-term average of 90 percent for this time of year.

Farmers report conditions of spring wheat less favorable this week than the previous week.