2016 Harvest Update

September 27, 2016:

Harvest has officially begun and here is a brief look at how it is progressing.

Corn:

U.S. farmers have begun harvesting some feed crops and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) states that although the pace is slower than usual, quality of crops remains high.

For the week ending September 18, dented corn in the majority of the top eighteen producing corn states stood at 93 percent compared to 92 percent last year, while 53 percent of the crop has reached maturity, surpassing the multi-year average of 48 percent. Seventy four percent of the U.S. corn crop is in good or excellent condition.

A total of nine percent of the national corn crop has been harvested, in line with last year, however, North Carolina has harvested 82 percent of its corn, Kansas has harvested 17 percent, Kentucky has harvested 41 percent, Tennessee has harvested 61 percent, and Texas has harvested 63 percent.

Soybeans:

Forty six percent of the soybeans in the 18 top U.S. producing states are dropping leaves compared to 50 percent at this point last year. The harvest stands at four percent complete, slightly behind the average of five percent and last year’s progress of six percent complete at the same point.

Fifty four prevent of the crop is considered to be in good condition while 19 percent is considered in excellent condition, making 73 percent of the crop in good to excellent condition compared to last year’s rating of 63 percent.

Other Crops:

Spring wheat is 98 percent harvested with Montana, Idaho, and North Dakota still harvesting.

Approximately 17 percent of the winter wheat crop has been planted.

About 51 percent of the sorghum crop has reached maturity in the 11 top producing states, surpassing last year’s 49 percent and the average of 44 percent. Overall, 29 percent of the U.S. sorghum crop has been harvested with Louisiana at 99 percent harvested and Arkansas at 97 percent harvested.

Source: Feed Navigator