Corn Crop Takes a Beating from Triple-Digit Heatwaves
The Midwest and Plains have been hit hard by triple-digit heatwaves, causing significant damage to crops. According to the USDA's weekly crop progress report, the corn good to excellent condition ratings have plummeted to their lowest point in nearly 20 years.
The latest numbers show that only 63% of the corn crop is now rated as good to excellent, while 25% is fair and 12% is very poor to poor. This is a stark contrast to last year's figures, where 73% of the corn crop was in good condition at this time.
The western Corn Belt and Plains have been particularly affected, with some areas showing severe heat stress on their crops. However, the USDA is predicting that temperatures will become more favorable in the coming days, with weather models indicating a trend towards better conditions for Midwest crops.