Soybean conditions in Virginia are relatively stable, while pastures, peanuts, and cotton are slowly deteriorating.

Data provided by USDA NASS

Commentary by Jeff Ishee

Virginia Field Crop Conditions for July 19

Takeaway point - Soybeans across Virginia are relatively stable, while pastures, peanuts, and cotton are slowly deteriorating.

Source: USDA NASS report at 4PM on Monday, July 20, 2026

* Topsoil moisture – 20% very short; 42% short; 37% adequate; 1% surplus

Soil moisture has declined statewide due to hot, sunny days and high evaporation rates. The “adequate” soil moisture category is down 13% from a week ago.

* Virginia pastures – Forty-eight percent of pastures are currently rated in poor or very poor condition, compared to 42% last week. The demand for hay continues to be high and is expected to be higher as fall approaches.

Soybeans in the Old Dominion are relatively stable, with the percentage of beans in good to excellent condition unchanged from one week ago. Image credit - Mark Stebnicki

* Virginia corn – 2% very poor; 17% poor; 43% fair; 35% good; 3% excellent

We are seeing slight changes in corn crop conditions across Virginia. The percentage of corn in good to excellent condition is down 4% from a week ago. Seventy-nine percent of VA corn is silking, slightly ahead of the 5-year average and up by 10% from a week ago.

* Virginia soybeans – 3% very poor; 9% poor; 48% fair; 39% good; 1% excellent

Soybeans in the Old Dominion are relatively stable, with the percentage of beans in good to excellent condition unchanged from one week ago. Fifty-two percent of VA soybeans are blooming, with 12% setting pods, consistent with the 5-year average.

* Virginia cotton – 6% poor; 31% fair; 63% good

Cotton conditions are slowly deteriorating. The amount of Virginia cotton rated in “good” condition is down 9% from last week. The percentage of VA cotton setting bolls is at 31%, slightly behind the 5-year average.

* Virginia peanuts – 3% poor; 37% fair; 60% good

Overall, Virginia peanuts are also slowly declining when compared to last week’s report. The percentage of peanuts in “good” condition is down 9 percentage points from a week ago. Seventy-eight percent of peanuts in the Old Dominion are pegging, slightly ahead of the 5-year average.