USDA Crop Progress Report Shows Corn Harvest Slowly Advancing
The nation's corn harvest is slowly advancing but continues to trail yearly and five year averages
The USDA’s much anticipated Crop Progress report has been released and the data shows across the 18 states that produce 92% of the nation’s corn, harvesting is slowly advancing, but still trails well behind 2012’s pace and five year averages.
According to the report, just 39% of the nation’s corn crop has been harvested, trailing behind the five year average (53%) and well behind 2012’s to-date pace in which 85% had been harvested. States that are furthest along in the harvest include North Carolina (95%), Texas (77%) and Tennessee (71%). Key Corn Belt states like Nebraska (just 32% harvested) and Iowa (35%) trail well behind both yearly and five year averages, but harvest rates could jump this week as adverse weather conditions are expected in the near future.
A recent Des Moines Register article shows snow could be in the forecast for much of Iowa this week, reminding farmers that winter is near. Bill Northey, Iowa secretary of agriculture, says about the forecast’s effects on harvest rates, “Every combine that can run is running. It’s a reminder that winter is coming, not that we need one.” Despite the snow, the extended forecast shows dryer weather in the 50s and 60s later in the week could allow crop producers to bring in additional crops.
The USDA’s first Crop Progress report in a few weeks following the federal shutdown shows the corn harvest is advancing but remains behind historical averages, especially in areas of the nation’s Corn Belt.