How USDA evaluates crop conditions

In the wake of the heavy flooding in the northwestern Corn Belt, there have been a lot of questions about USDA’s methodology for assessing crop conditions. We’ve got the answer.

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usda
(USDA)

In the wake of the heavy flooding in the northwestern Corn Belt, there have been a lot of questions about USDA’s methodology for assessing crop conditions. USDA’s weekly crop condition ratings are subjective and meant to give a general overview of the crop that is expected to be harvested. It can be difficult to assess the impact of flooding and it may take weeks for the Crop Progress Report to reflect the full extent of the damage.

Chris Hawthorn, Head of Field Crops at NASS, told us they ask crop experts to gauge general conditions in their area for yield impacts and rate crops accordingly. Once acres are lost due to a disaster like flooding, those acres are “taken out of the equation” and remaining acres are used for the weekly ratings. So, the pool of remaining acres is smaller and often, yield potential goes up as failed acres are removed.

Data for yield and production will be collected from farmer surveys beginning in late July and published in the Crop Production Report on Aug. 12.

USDA’s crop condition assessment ratings
Very poor: Extreme loss to yield potential. Complete/near crop failure.
Poor: Heavy loss to yield potential.
Fair: Less-than-normal crop condition. Yield loss is a possibility but extent is unknown.
Good: Yield prospects are normal or above normal. Moisture levels are adequate with only light disease and/or insect pressure.
Excellent: Yield prospects are above normal and crops are experiencing little or no stress.