Grain-crop conditions decline 8th week in row
7/31/2012WASHINGTON -- The condition of the U.S. corn crop worsened for a eighth straight week, the longest such streak since June, 1996, as the worst Midwest drought in a generation expanded, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday in a report.
It said soybean ratings also fell.
About 24 percent of the corn was in good or excellent condition as of Sunday, compared with 26 percent a week earlier, the department said.
An estimated 29 percent of the soybeans got the top ratings, down from 31 percent. The assessments are the worst for both crops for this time of year since a drought in 1988.