Corn harvest nationwide reached 45 percent completion - three points ahead of the five-year average. In the I-80 Corridor, Illinois reports the fastest progress with 52 percent of the crop in the bin. Nebraska checks in with 44 percent while Iowa reports 42 percent of its corn is now harvested.
Soybean harvest across the nation zoomed up to 62 percent completion - a full 10 points ahead of its five-year average of 52 percent. Iowa leads the way in the I-80 Corridor with 74 percent of its crop harvested. Nebraska says 70 percent of its crop has been taken out of the field. This is a normal occurrence for the western part of the Corn Belt to mature faster than the eastern sections.
Cotton harvest is staying close to its average pace with 33 percent of the national crop now out of the field compared to the five-year average of 32 percent. Mississippi made tremendous progress last week as it rocketed up by 19 points to 61 percent completion. The largest producing state of Texas has harvested 37 percent of its crop which is now three points ahead of schedule.
Grain sorghum harvest is running two points ahead of the average pace with 53 percent of the new crop now cut. The largest producing state of Texas is basically about finished as it has reached 92 percent completion - two points ahead of its five-year average. Oklahoma is now done on 42 percent of its acres, which is only slightly ahead of where it should be this week.
Winter wheat planting nationally is staying even with its five-year average of 68 percent for this week of the year. In the Plains, Nebraska is nearly finished with 96 percent of its crop now seeded. South Dakota stands at 90 percent. The southern Plains states have a little more time to get their crop put in since their growing season is longer.
Pasture conditions made sizable moves in both directions. In the Plains states where much of the cattle production is focused, South Dakota pastureland improved by six percentage points in the good to excellent ratings and Kansas saw a two-point improvement. However, the Oklahoma rating dipped by seven points. In the mountain states, Wyoming reported a huge drop of 27 points compared to last week. In the far northern Plains, North Dakota dropped by eight points.
In the topsoil moisture deficit report (generally considered to measure the top four inches of soil representing the seed planting and sprouting zone), New Mexico has a lock on the top spot with 87 percent of its acres reported to be short to very short on moisture. Louisiana and Washington state are tied for the second position with 81 percent.
In the subsoil moisture deficit report (considered to measure deep soil moisture down to a few feet where the crop roots would extend downward), New Mexico maintains the top spot with 90 percent of its acres suffering from short to very short moisture levels. Louisiana holds down the second spot with 84 percent and Montana continues to struggle with 80 percent in the combined driest categories.
Crop Progress - 231016.pdf
