USDA Weekly Crop Progress

Corn, Soybean Harvests Lag Average Pace

(DTN photo illustration by Nick Scalise)

OMAHA (DTN) -- Corn and soybean harvest progress was lagging an average pace as of Sept. 25, according to USDA's latest Crop Progress report released Monday. Corn harvest is 4 percentage points behind the five-year average and soybean harvest is 3 percentage points behind.

The nation's corn crop is 97% dented and 73% mature, compared to 93% and 53% last week, 96% and 66% last year, and five-year averages of 96% and 64%. Corn condition held steady at 74% good to excellent.

"USDA said 74% of the corn crop was rated good to excellent, resulting in the same DTN Corn Condition Index of 178 as a week ago," said DTN Analyst Todd Hultman. "USDA's report is neutral for corn."

Sixty-eight percent of the nation's soybeans were dropping leaves, compared to 46% last week, 69% last year and a 64% average. Soybean condition remained steady at 73% good to excellent.

"USDA said that 73% of soybeans were rated good to excellent, resulting in the same DTN Soybean Condition Index of 176 as a week ago," Hultman said. "Monday's report is neutral for soybeans."

Winter wheat planting is 30% complete, compared to 17% last week, 28% last year and a 30% average. Winter wheat is 8% emerged, compared to 6% last year and an 8% average. "Monday's planting pace is neutral for winter wheat prices," Hultman said.

Sixty-three percent of cotton had bolls opening, compared to 48% last week, 66% last year and a 65% average. Cotton harvested was reported at 10%, compared to 6% last week, 10% last year and a 10% average.

Cotton condition held steady at 48% good to excellent.

Seventy-three percent of the rice crop was harvested, compared to 64% last week, 65% last year and a 59% average.

Sorghum was 94% coloring, compared to 88% last week, 94% last year and an 87% average. Sorghum harvest was 34% complete, compared to 29% last week, 35% last year and a 32% average. Sorghum condition held steady at 66% good to excellent.

The following are highlights from weekly crop progress reports issued by National Ag Statistics Service offices in individual states. To view the full reports from each state, visit https://www.nass.usda.gov/…

Colorado

Conditions across the state early last week were hot and dry, with some relief seen in the latter part of the week. Western counties received some moisture and very sporadic precipitation events occurred in eastern counties. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork, down slightly from last week's 6.7 days. Topsoil moisture is 8% very poor, 32% short, 58% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 7% very poor, 29% short, 63% adequate and 1% surplus. Corn dented is 95% with 97% the five-year average. Corn mature is 41% with the five-year average of 48%. Corn harvested is 5% with 8% the five-year average. Corn silage harvested is 78% with the five year average of 80%. Corn crop condition is 4% very poor to poor, 23% fair and 73% good to excellent. Sorghum turning color is 92% with 87% being the five-year average. Sorghum mature is 34%, which is also the five-year average. Sorghum harvested is 2% with the five-year average 4%. Sorghum crop condition is 5% very poor to poor, 30% fair and 65% good to excellent. Spring wheat harvested is 80% with 89% being the five-year average. Winter wheat planted is 55% with 52% the five-year average. Winter wheat emerged is 20% with a five-year average of 18%.

Illinois

Corn and soybean harvest is in full swing statewide, with much progress expected in the coming week. Statewide, the average temperature was 74.3 degrees, 12.5 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.18 inch, 0.64 inch below normal. There were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week. Topsoil moisture supply was rated at 1% very short, 4% short, 84% adequate and 11% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated at 1% very short, 3% short, 88% adequate and 8% surplus. Corn mature increased to 88%, compared to 78% for the five-year average. Corn harvest was 24% complete, compared to 25% last year. Corn condition was rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 13% fair, 57% good and 26% excellent. Soybeans coloring increased to 88%, compared to 88% last year. Soybeans dropping leaves jumped to 62%, an increase of 31 percentage points over last week. Soybean harvest was 6% complete, compared to 18% last year. Soybean condition was rated 2% very poor, 3% poor, 15% fair, 57% good and 23% excellent. Winter wheat planted was at 1%, compared to 4% for the five-year average.

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Indiana

Mostly hot and humid weather kept farmers extremely busy harvesting corn and soybeans. Temperatures were above normal by 11.3 degrees, with the statewide temperature at 72.9 degrees. Although few rain showers moved through the region this week, it was just enough to keep the humidity levels high. Statewide, precipitation averaged 0.02 inch, below average by 0.76 inch. There were 6.2 days available for fieldwork for the week, up 1.1 days from the previous week. Topsoil moisture is 1% very short, 11% short, 79% adequate and 9% surplus. Subsoil moisture 1% very short, 11% short, 81% adequate and 7% surplus. Corn dented is 99% with 94% the five-year average. Corn mature is 74% with the five-year average 63%. Corn harvested for grain is 15% with 14% being the five-year average. Corn harvested for silage is 87%. Corn crop condition is 9% very poor to poor, 19% fair and 72% good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves is 68% with the five-year average 72%. Soybeans harvested is 9% with 10% being the five-year average. Soybeans crop condition is 7% very poor to poor, 18% fair and 75% good to excellent. Winter wheat planted is 6%, which is also the five-year average.

Iowa

Although southeast Iowa had 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork, statewide there were just 3.6 days suitable for the week. Above-normal precipitation with localized heavy rains led to reports of fields with standing water. Excessive rains have raised concerns about crop damage and pasture condition in certain parts of the state. Topsoil moisture levels rated 1% very short, 2% short, 67% adequate and 30% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 1% very short, 4% short, 73% adequate and 22% surplus. Seventy-two percent of the corn crop was mature or beyond, three days ahead of last year, and two days ahead of the five-year average. Corn harvest slowed due to wet conditions, but there were scattered reports of corn for grain being harvested. Corn condition rated 82% good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of soybeans were turning color or beyond, three days ahead of last year's pace. Sixty-eight percent of soybeans were dropping leaves or beyond, three days ahead of average. Soybean harvest has begun where field conditions were dry enough. Soybean condition rated 81% good to excellent.

Kansas

Temperatures were 8 to 10 degrees above normal. The eastern part of the state received up to 3 inches of rain, while the west remained mostly dry. There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture rated 3% very short, 10% short, 75% adequate and 12% surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 2% very short, 11% short, 77% adequate and 10% surplus. Winter wheat planted was 20%, equal to last year, and near the five-year average of 22%. Emerged was 3%, equal to last year, and near 5% average. Corn condition rated 2% very poor, 7% poor, 26% fair, 54% good and 11% excellent. Corn mature was 81%, equal to last year and near 79% average. Harvested was 29%, behind 38% last year and 40% average. Soybean condition rated 1% very poor, 4% poor, 24% fair, 56% good and 15% excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 34%, behind 45% last year and 48% average. Harvested was 2%, near 4% both last year and average. Sorghum condition rated 1% very poor, 3% poor, 21% fair, 59% good and 16% excellent. Sorghum coloring was 96%, near 95% last year, and ahead of 85% average. Mature was 46%, behind 52% last year, but ahead of 32% average. Harvested was 10%, near 13% last year and 6% average. Cotton condition rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 29% fair, 64% good, and 4% excellent. Cotton setting bolls was 94%, behind 99% last year, and near 98% average. Bolls opening was 39%, near 36% last year and 43% average. Harvested was 3%, equal to last year, and near 1% average.

Michigan

There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan last week. Rainfall was minimal, but there were scattered showers in a few areas of the state. Moisture and heat helped crops progress nicely this past week. Topsoil is 2% very poor, 10% short, 79% adequate and 9% surplus. Subsoil moisture is 4% very poor, 15% short, 76% adequate and 5% surplus. Corn dented is 90% with 89% being the five-year average. Corn mature is 50% with the five-year average at 42%. Corn harvested for grain is 1% with 4% the five-year average. Corn harvested for silage is 59% and 31% the five-year average. Corn crop condition is 12% very poor to poor, 27% fair and 61% good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves is 63%, which is also the five-year average. Soybeans harvested is 1% with 5% the five-year average. Soybean crop condition is 8% very poor to poor, 24% fair and 68% good to excellent. Winter wheat planted is 18% with 13% the five-year average. Winter wheat emerged is 2% with the five-year average at 0%.

Minnesota

Above-average rainfall has slowed the harvest in many areas across Minnesota last week. There were 3.1 days suitable for fieldwork. Thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall to portions of central and southern Minnesota, leading to very wet conditions and flooding in some areas. The consistently wet conditions continue to raise concerns about mold in corn and soybeans, stalk problems in corn, and rot related to wet soil. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0% very short, 2% short, 56% adequate and 42% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0% very short, 2% short, 66% adequate and 32% surplus. Seventy percent of Minnesota's corn acreage was mature, six days ahead of the five-year average and three days ahead of last year. There were reports of farmers beginning to harvest corn for grain throughout the state. Corn condition rated 84% good to excellent. Eighty-one percent of the corn for silage acreage was harvested, equal to last year. Eighty-three percent of the soybean crop was dropping leaves or beyond, three days ahead of average. Soybean harvest was 13% complete, three days behind average and five days behind last year. Soybean condition rated 79% good to excellent.

Missouri

Dry weather allowed crop harvesting to advance last week. Temperatures averaged 75.6 degrees, 12.3 degrees above normal. Precipitation averaged 0.21 inch statewide, 0.94 inch below normal. Topsoil moisture supply was rated 2% very short, 8% short, 80% adequate and 10% surplus. Subsoil moisture supply was rated 2% very short, 7% short, 86% adequate and 5% surplus. Corn mature reached 93%, 9 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Corn harvested for grain reached 38%, compared to 44% for the five-year average. Corn condition was rated 76% good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves progressed to 42%, and soybeans harvested reached 5%, compared to 3% for the five-year average. Soybean condition was rated 76% good to excellent. Cotton harvested reached 5%, 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average. Rice harvested reached 72% complete. Sorghum harvest was 19% complete.

Nebraska

Temperatures averaged 9 degrees above normal across eastern Nebraska and 6 degrees above normal across western areas. The above-normal temperatures hastened emergence of winter wheat and dry-down of fall crops. Precipitation of an inch or more was limited to the eastern third of the state and portions of the panhandle. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 7% very short, 24% short, 64% adequate and 5% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 7% very short, 25% short, 65% adequate and 3% surplus. Corn mature was 69%, ahead of the five-year average of 61%, and harvested was 7%, behind 13% average. Corn condition was rated 74% good to excellent. Sorghum mature was 63%, well ahead of 40% average, and harvested was 11%, ahead of 2% average. Sorghum condition was rated 85% good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 75%, ahead of 68% average, and harvested was 9%, near 10% average. Soybeans conditions were rated 77% good to excellent. Winter wheat planted was 72%, ahead of 61% average, and emerged was 42%, well ahead of 21% average.

North Dakota

Temperatures ranged from 2 to 6 degrees above normal across a majority of the state last week. Producers were able to make good progress harvesting crops during the beginning of the week when conditions were drier. However, harvest activities were stalled across much of North Dakota through the weekend due to rainfall. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 2% very short, 11% short, 71% adequate and 16% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 4% very short, 11% short, 71% adequate and 14% surplus. Durum wheat harvested was 92%, ahead of 87% for the five-year average. Corn mature was 59%, ahead of 47% average, and harvested was 3%, near 6% average. Corn condition was rated 79% good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 87%, near 89% average, and harvested was 12%, behind 21% average. Soybeans condition was rated 74% good to excellent. Canola harvested was 94%, near 92% average. Winter wheat planted was 53%, behind 66% last year. Emerged was 12%, near 11% last year.

Ohio

Hot, dry weather with little to no rain last week promoted the drying of the corn crop last week. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 8% very short, 29% short, 61% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 10% very short, 27% short, 61% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn was 57% mature, ahead of the average of 45%, and 8% of corn was harvested for grain, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 6%. Corn condition was rated 44% good to excellent. Soybeans were 76% dropping leaves, ahead of the average of 67%, and 6% of soybeans were harvested, behind the average of 9%. Soybean conditions were rated 56% good to excellent. Winter wheat was 5% planted, near the average pace of 6%.

Oklahoma

Hot and humid conditions continued throughout Oklahoma for most of last week. Statewide, temperatures averaged in the high 70s across the state, ranging from 40 degrees at Kenton on Sept. 24 to 101 degrees at Buffalo on Sept. 19. Precipitation ranged from 0.01 inch in the southeast district to 1.60 inches in the west-central district. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 5% very short, 30% short, 63% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 4% very short, 25% short, 69% adequate and 2% surplus. Corn mature reached 74%, down 18 points from normal, and corn harvested reached 50%, down 8 points from normal. Corn condition was rated 73% good to excellent. Sorghum mature reached 60%, up 6 points from normal, and sorghum harvested reached 32%, up 4 points from normal. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 25%, up 13 points from normal. Cotton bolls opening reached 58%, equal to normal. Winter wheat planted reached 25%, equal to normal, and winter wheat emerged reached 1%, down 2 points from normal. Canola planted reached 20%, down 9 points from normal.

South Dakota

Warm temperatures and scattered rains were experienced across the state last week. Although there were isolated reports of standing water, soybean harvest was ongoing and corn silage cutting concluded. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 8% very short, 22% short, 68% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 7% very short, 28% short, 64% adequate and 1% surplus. Corn mature was 64%, ahead of 57% average, and harvested was 6%, behind 11% average. Corn condition was rated 53% good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 88%, ahead of 83% average, and harvested was 11%, behind 17% average. Soybeans condition was rated 61% good to excellent. Sorghum mature was 67%, well ahead of 42% average, and harvested was 13%, near 12% average. Winter wheat planted was 42%, behind 53% average. Emerged was 3%, behind 10% average.

Texas

Areas of the Northern Low Plains, Southern Low Plains and the Edwards Plateau received up to 6 inches of rainfall, while the Upper Coast, southeast Texas, and the Trans-Pecos received between trace amounts and 2 inches of precipitation. The rest of the state received little to no measurable rainfall. Statewide, topsoil moisture was rated 8% very short, 17% short, 59% adequate and 16% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 5% very short, 19% short, 64% adequate and 12% surplus. Corn was 76% mature, behind the average of 82%, and 64% of corn was harvested, slightly behind the average pace of 67%. Cotton was 49% bolls opening and 11% harvested, slightly behind the average of 15% harvested. Sorghum was 65% harvested, even with the five-year average. Soybeans were 84% dropping leaves, ahead of the average of 78%, and 50% of soybeans were harvested, behind the average of 58%. Winter wheat was 30% planted, ahead of the average of 27%.

Wisconsin

A slow-moving storm system dumped heavy rain across Wisconsin on Tuesday and Wednesday with additional scattered showers in some parts of the state every day last week. Total rainfall reportedly exceeded 10 inches in some pockets, though rain totals were highly variable. There were some reports of flash flooding, erosion damage and large hail. Statewide, topsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% short, 59% adequate and 40% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 1% short, 64% adequate and 35% surplus. As of Sunday, 66% of corn was reported mature, 11 days ahead of the five-year average, and corn harvested for grain was 2% complete. There were some reports of mold on the ears. Corn condition was rated 87% good to excellent. Seventy-three percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, six days ahead of the average. Soybean harvest was just beginning. Soybean condition was rated 84% good to excellent. Twenty-two percent of winter wheat was planted, three days behind last year. There were several reports of weather delays in winter wheat planting. Nine percent of winter wheat was emerged.

National Crop Progress Summary
This Last Last 5-Yr
Week Week Year Avg
Corn Dent 97 93 96 96
Corn Mature 73 53 66 64
Corn Harvested 15 9 16 19
Soybeans Dropping Leaves 68 46 69 64
Soybeans Harvested 10 4 17 13
Winter Wheat Planted 30 17 28 30
Winter Wheat Emerged 8 NA 6 8
Cotton Bolls Opening 63 48 66 65
Cotton Harvested 10 6 10 10
Sorghum Coloring 94 88 94 87
Sorghum Mature 61 51 61 52
Sorghum Harvested 34 29 35 32
Rice Harvested 73 64 65 59
National Crop Condition Summary
(VP=Very Poor; P=Poor; F=Fair; G=Good; E=Excellent)
This Week Last Week Last Year
VP P F G E VP P F G E VP P F G E
Corn 2 5 19 54 20 2 5 19 54 20 3 7 22 49 19
Soybeans 2 5 20 54 19 2 5 20 54 19 3 9 26 47 15
Sorghum 1 5 28 52 14 1 5 28 52 14 2 6 27 54 11
Cotton 4 12 36 38 10 4 12 36 39 9 2 11 37 41 9

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