As we are rapidly coming to the end of the growing and harvest season of 2022 as well as the weekly USDA reports, this update will only cover harvest progress for cotton since most of the other crops are nearly completely finished with their harvest activity. Other than that, the only things left to report on this week are wheat conditions (since winter wheat planting is complete) and soil moisture ratings...
-Marlin
Cotton harvest is now 71 percent complete nationwide which is eight points ahead of its five-year average. Louisiana is the first state to officially cross the finish line with 100 percent harvested, but of the top five producing states, Mississippi is closest to completion with 97 percent. The top producing state of Texas is now at 61 percent completion.
The national winter wheat condition report improved by two more points in the good to excellent categories where it now stands at 32 percent. In the Plains, it was obvious that the south received moisture recently as the Oklahoma condition rating came up by five percentage points and Texas rose by four points. It was a different story further north, though, as Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota ALL reported a two point decline in their ratings.
In the topsoil moisture deficit category (generally considered to measure the top four inches of soil representing the seed planting and sprouting zone), South Dakota hangs on to the top (driest) spot this week as it still shows 87 percent of its acres either short or very short on moisture. However, Nebraska is now nipping at its heels with a moisture deficit rating of 86 percent. Oklahoma saw a significant improvement last week as it saw its deficit rating actually improve (reduced) by nine points.
In the subsoil moisture deficit category (considered to measure deep soil moisture down to a few feet where the crop roots would extend downward), Nebraska now takes over the top spot with 90 percent of its acreage in the short to very short categories. Wyoming moved into second place as it switched places with Kansas from the week before. South Dakota has moved into a tie with Kansas for third place with an 86 percent rating. Just as in the topsoil segment, Oklahoma saw a big improvement here as well due to beneficial moisture received over the last week.
USDA Crop Progress 221114.pdf
