With harvest more than half over, USDA ratings continue to improve. Corn harvest reached 61 percent as of Oct. 23 and soybeans, 76 percent. This puts soybeans on their five-year average and corn one point behind average.
However, the states served by FCSAmerica are behind average for both corn and soybeans, according to USDA. Iowa’s corn harvest is about four days behind and soybeans, a full week behind the average pace. On-farm grain storage availability is rated 26 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 4 percent short. Off farm-availability is 20 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.
Nebraska also lags – by 4 points for corn and 10 for soybeans. USDA reports heavy dew slowed soybean progress, though the well-above normal temperatures and dry weather did improve harvest conditions.
Harvest progress in South Dakota remains behind average for corn and soybeans as mid-week showers delayed harvest in some central and southeast locations. High grain moisture on late-planted corn and soybeans also slowed progress for some producers.
|
State
|
Corn Harvest
Completed (%)
|
Soybean Harvest Completed (%)
|
|
18 States
|
61
|
62
|
76
|
76
|
|
Iowa
|
52
|
61
|
77
|
86
|
|
Nebraska
|
50
|
54
|
78
|
88
|
|
South Dakota
|
47
|
57
|
89
|
93
|
Large yields also are contributing to the somewhat slower harvest as more grain has to be handled. Of course, growers welcome such a problem.
“Last year, we had our best whole-farm yield ever – and we beat the prior best year by 40 bu./acre,” said Tim Richter, who farms near Lime Springs, Iowa. “I thought ‘I’ll never see these yields again.’ Yet here we are just a few bushels short of last year’s results. It’s amazing what these crops can do when everything comes together.”
