Drought conditions throughout much of the Corn Belt have impacted crop estimates, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) notes.

According to reports from the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) and the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), crop estimates are off slightly from early summer projections by three bushels per acre and crop conditions are suffering compared with June.

WASDE lowered its projected bushels from 148 bushels per acre in June to 145 in its July 12 report. WASDE lowered its 2005/2006 estimated corn production by 200 million bushels to 10,785 million bushels. NASS, in its July 19 report, changed its crop condition report as well, suggesting more of the crop is in poor to very poor condition compared with June.

“Last month, WASDE did not change its projected yield from May to June,” says Max Starbuck, director or livestock and economic development. “This month, WASDE estimates a 145-bushel average, which is about three bushel lower than June.”

Crop conditions have suffered because of dry weather. Several areas are still experiencing drought conditions. In June, NASS listed only 1 percent of the corn crop as very poor; this month, the number jumped to 6 percent. Only 5 percent of the crop was considered poor in June; for July, NASS expects 13 percent of the crop to be in poor condition.

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