In this week’s report, USDA reported corn harvest nationwide is now 45 percent complete - five points ahead of its five-year average. In the I-80 Corridor, Illinois takes the lead with 47 percent of its crop now in the bin. Nebraska is close behind with 46 percent. Meanwhile, Ohio is finished on 24 percent of its acreage - one point behind its five-year average. Outside the Corridor, North Carolina stands at 91 percent completion, so they are nearly done for the year.
The national soybean harvest surged to 63 percent completion versus the 52 percent average pace. In the I-80 Corridor, Nebraska shows the fastest harvest progress with 76 percent of its crop taken out of the field. Iowa shows 74 percent. Outside the Corridor, Louisiana is already coming down the home stretch with 93 percent of its crop harvested which is four points ahead of its average pace.
Cotton harvest is now 37 percent complete nationwide which now puts it five points ahead of its five-year average. Mississippi leads the pack with 63 percent of its crop now harvested which is 15 points ahead of its five-year average of 48 percent! The largest producing state of Texas is now 40 percent completed - seven points ahead of its average pace.
Grain sorghum harvest comes in at 57 percent nationwide - now eight points ahead of its five-year average. The number one producing state of Texas is basically done at 98 percent. South Dakota showed amazing progress last week as it zoomed up to 61 percent completion which puts it WAY ahead of its 38 percent average. Nebraska brings up the rear with 34 percent of its crop taken out.
Rice harvest nationwide moved up to 89 percent completion - just one point behind schedule. Texas is finished and Louisiana is wrapping up with 99 percent of its harvest complete. ALL of the key growing states with the exception of California are at least 88 percent complete with harvest, so this season is just about done for the year.
Peanut harvest made some good progress and came in at 55 percent complete across the nation as of Sunday. That is eight points ahead of the five-year average. After Florida suffered through Hurricane Ian, it has resumed its harvest activity and moved up to 73 percent completion compared to its average pace of 67 percent. Virginia is 75 percent complete and Georgia is done harvesting on 59 percent of its acres. Oklahoma is lagging badly as it only has 15 percent of its crop harvested.
Winter wheat planting moved up to 69 percent completion - close to its five-year average of 68 percent. Nebraska and South Dakota lead the Plains states with 64 and 91 percent planted respectively. In the southern Plains, Texas is finished sowing wheat on 70 percent of its acreage. All of the central and southern Plains are in dire need of moisture to get the new crop to germinate. Hopefully, weather forecasts verify and deliver the critical rain later this week or early next week.
Pasture conditions in the central and southern Plains are still abysmal where Texas has the highest rating and it only has 13 percent in the good to excellent categories. The other states from there to the north are even worse - until you get to North Dakota where pastureland is rated 28 percent good to excellent.
In the topsoil moisture deficit category (generally considered to measure the top four inches of soil representing the seed planting and sprouting zone), Oklahoma continues to hold down the top (driest) spot as an amazing 96 percent of its acres are classified as either short or very short on moisture. Kansas captures second place with 88 percent.
In the subsoil moisture deficit category (considered to measure deep soil moisture down to a few feet where the crop roots would extend downward), Oklahoma again leads the list with 97 percent of its acreage rated short to very short. Montana is second with 93 percent and Kansas is the third driest with 89 percent.
USDA Crop Progress 221017.pdf
