Corn and soybean conditions are virtually unchanged this late in the season as the harvest pace picks up – especially for soybeans, according to Monday’s weekly Crop Progress report from USDA.
CORN
As of Sunday, 15% of the U.S. corn was harvested vs. a 16% five-year average. Iowa is ahead of its five-year average and Illinois is running behind. Iowa has 12% of its corn out of the field, compared with a 5% five-year average. Illinois has combined 13% vs. its 24% average.
In its report, the USDA’s estimate of corn with a good/excellent rating is 61%, equal to a week ago.
The USDA rated the Nebraska corn harvest at 14% complete vs. a 10% five-year average.
The USDA estimates that corn in the top 18 producing states is 75% mature, above the 65% five-year average.
SOYBEANS
Soybean harvest has jumped ahead from just 6% last week to 20% as of Sunday, ahead of the 15% average.
In Iowa, 30% of the soybean crop is out of the fields, well ahead of the state’s 8% five-year average. For Nebraska, 29% of the soybeans have been cut vs. a 13% five-year average.
In Illinois, 11% of the soybeans have been harvested compared with a 16% five-year average.
USDA reported that 74% of the U.S. soybean crop is dropping leaves vs. a 69% five-year average.
In its report, the USDA estimates the soybean good/excellent rating at 64%, one percentage point better than a week ago.
WHEAT
In its report Monday, the USDA said the U.S. winter wheat seeding is still running slightly ahead of the normal pace, with 35% of the crop planted vs. a 33% five-year average.
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.
