• October 25, 2024 – The share of the U.S. corn crop rated good and excellent in 2024 was one of the best of the last 5 years, leveling off at about 65%. A notable difference in the 2024 crop is the rapid rate of harvest, 65% as of October 20 compared to the 52% average.

• October 14, 2024 – USDA increased the average corn yield this month from 183.6 bushels per acre in September to 183.8, an all-time record high. But the biggest changes to the supply and demand balance sheet came from increases in use in old crop corn.

• October 7, 2024 – The condition rating of the U.S. corn crop slipped 2 points this week, back to the long-term average. The very poor and poor categories combined were up 1% lowering the index from 363 to 361. USDA updates it yield estimate Friday, October 11.

• September 27, 2024 – The condition rating of the U.S. corn crop slipped slightly this week, though the index continues to track above normal. The focus of the grain use section this week is feed with updated inventory numbers for cattle, poultry, and pork.

Mark Welch
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Economist
600 John Kimbrough Blvd
TAMU 2124
College Station, Texas 77843
Tel. (979)845-8011
Fax. (979)845-4906
JMWelch(at)tamu.edu

^{The opinions and recommendations expressed are solely those of the author and are intended for educational purposes only as part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service.  Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service assumes no liability for the use of this newsletter.  Educational programs of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.  The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating}