U.S. Corn and Soybean Ratings Near Historic Highs
Mid-July typically marks a turning point in crop conditions, often trending lower as the growing season advances. But 2025 is defying expectations. This year, the crops are not just holding steady—they’re thriving. The phrase “big crops get bigger” is echoing among veteran grain traders, and the data backs it up.
Corn Ratings Continue to Outpace the Average
Corn is showing exceptional strength across the nation. According to the latest crop condition reports, corn rated as “good to excellent” is currently nine percentage points above the five-year average for this time of year. That kind of surplus has analysts revisiting their yield projections.
Arlan Suderman of StoneX now forecasts a national average corn yield of 187 bushels per acre—a bullish outlook for the 2025 harvest season.
Soybeans Also Surpassing Expectations
Soybeans are not far behind. Good to excellent ratings for soybeans are running eight points above the five-year average. If conditions hold, this could rival the best mid-July crop ratings seen since 2016.
Suderman’s current soybean yield model shows an average of 54 bushels per acre. While optimistic, he cautions that a lot can still change in the next six to eight weeks—particularly with August weather being critical to final outcomes.
Pollination Issues Raise Questions
Despite glowing ratings, Suderman noted emerging reports of “puzzling pollination issues” in corn that aren’t reflected in weekly condition reports. These concerns are prompting a wave of field surveys by crop scouts over the next 10 days. The results of those surveys could influence yield projections and market sentiment moving forward.
Looking Ahead
As the U.S. grain belt enters the critical stretch of the season, optimism is high but tempered with caution. With record-breaking ratings and favorable weather so far, 2025 could deliver one of the best corn and soybean crops in recent memory—if Mother Nature continues to cooperate.
Mark Oppold reporting for Southeast AgNet.