CHICAGO, Ill. (Reuters) — Ninety-two percent of the U.S. soybean crop was planted as of June 23, the slowest pace since 2009, said the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The corn crop is already planted.
Warm to hot temperatures and adequate soil moisture reserves are boosting growth of the newly seeded U.S. corn and soybean crops, leading to prospects for good production, an agricultural meteorologist said.
“Overall, it’s generally favourable for crops,” said Don Keeney, meteorologist for MDA Weather Services.
“The excessive wetness in the northwest should ease later this week and the rest of the crop belt has adequate moisture.”
The condition of recently planted corn and soybean crops rose one point last week to 65 percent good to excellent, according to the USDA, matching the average analyst pre-report estimate. Last year at the same time, corn was 56 percent good to excellent and soybeans were 53 percent.
