US soybean condition improved — Braun

As of August 25, 79% of soybeans in the US fields started setting pods vs. 94% last year, USDA reports.

Soybean development has accelerated over the past week, although it still lags behind previous years. On average over five years, 91% of soybeans in the US were at the R3 (Beginning Pod) growth stage at the reporting date. 94% of plantings vs. 100% are in R2 (Full Bloom) stage and 99% on average over the past five years.

The weather contributed to the improvement of soybeans condition in the US, Karen Braun, Global Agriculture Columnist at Thomson Reuters, commented on Twitter.

"Yield potential rose to 3.19/5 from 3.16 last week on a boost in Illinois. All other scores remained the same but the recent rains have been very helpful," she noted.

Crops condition at the reporting date was as followed:

• excellent — 9% of plantings (17% in the comparative period of 2018);
• good — 46% (49%);
• fair — 32% (23%);
• poor — 10% (8%).

The data in the report represents 18 States planted 95% of the 2018 soybean acreage.

Previously reported that the expected soybeans and corn yield in the US was much lower from USDA estimates.