USDA reports harvest in the final stretch

Both corn and soybeans are in the final stretch of U.S. harvest.

As of Sunday, the USDA reported the U.S. corn harvest is at 91% complete, up 7% from the week prior and up comparably from the five-year average, which shows just 86% of the nation’s corn crop was completed by this time.

Corn harvest was reported at 95% complete in Illinois, 85% in Indiana, and 91% finished in the final “I-state,” Iowa. Rains that swept across the Corn Belt late last week are likely the cause of any delays as farmers finish for the season.

Soybeans hit the 92% completion mark as of Sunday, up just 1% compared to the five-year average.

Notably, Illinois made significant strides to wrap up the state’s harvest – now sitting at 93% complete, while Iowa sits at 97% complete.

Winter wheat conditions remained relatively the same compared with last week’s report, as just 1% was lost in the fair/poor category. Currently, 46% of the U.S. winter wheat crop remains in good/excellent condition.

Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data collected each week from early April through the end of November, according to the USDA report. “The non-probability crop progress and condition surveys include input from approximately 3,600 respondents whose occupations provide them opportunities to make visual observations and frequently bring them in contact with farmers in their counties. Based on standard definitions, these respondents subjectively estimate the progress of crops through various stages of development, as well as the progress of producer activities. They also provide subjective evaluations of crop conditions,” the USDA stated in its Monday report.

Most respondents complete their questionnaires on Friday or early Monday morning and submit them to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) field offices in their states by mail, telephone, fax, email, or through a secured internet website. A small number of reports are completed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regardless of when questionnaires are completed, respondents are asked to report for the entire week ending on Sunday, according to the report.

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Tags: U.S., harvest progress, corn, USDA, soybeans, wheat