Corn harvest is slightly ahead of the five year average as of October 19, 2015. The USDA Crop Progress report released today puts 59% of the crop harvested as of Sunday, ranging from 93% of the Tennessee crop to 25% of Colorado. Dryer than normal conditions are aiding in a quicker harvest; last week alone the 18 leading corn-producing states had 6.54 average days suitable for field work. That makes for long days for our farm families, but allows for a lot of harvesting to be completed!
NCGA President Chip Bowling, a grower from Maryland, said, “At this time, the national average yield is estimated to be the second-largest on record. While a decreased forecast for harvested acres balances the added production, America’s corn farmers clearly produce an abundance.”
Over the same period, estimates of the crop condition remained stable with 68 percent of the crop in good or excellent condition.
Winter wheat planting reached 76% and emergence 49%, compared with 75% and 54% a year ago and the respective 77% and 49% averages.
No soybean condition rating was provided.
Nationally, sorghum was 61% harvested versus 47% a year ago and the 52% average. No condition rating was provided.
Cotton was 31% harvested and 94% had bolls open versus the 32% and 89% averages. The crop slipped 1 point to 46% good/excellent.