The U.S. corn harvest made solid progress but remained behind the average pace this past week, while soybean harvesting moved slightly ahead of normal.
Monday's USDA crop progress report showed the nationwide corn harvest at 60% complete as of Sunday, up 16 points from a week earlier but still 6 points behind the five-year average.
Meanwhile, the soy harvest reached 79% done, advancing 15 points from the previous week and 2 points ahead of average.
Corn harvest progress varied considerably across the Midwest.
In Iowa, 47% of corn was harvested, up from 26% a week earlier but well behind the 67% average. Illinois advanced to 74% from 63%, slightly ahead of its 73% average. Indiana reached 61%, compared to 46% the previous week and the 59% average.
Michigan advanced to 28% from 13%, remaining well behind its 43% average. Ohio reached 35%, up from 21% but trailing the 46% average, while North Dakota advanced to 58% from 42%, ahead of its 54% average.
Soybean harvesting was further along, with Iowa reaching 78%, up from 57% a week earlier and ahead of its 72% average. Illinois advanced to 81% from 66%, Indiana to 75% from 59%, and Michigan to 69% from 37%. All three states were ahead of average.
Ohio reached 69%, up from 48% but behind its 73% average, while North Dakota advanced to 88% from 79%, above its 85% average.
Meanwhile, the national corn condition rating improved slightly, with 56% of the crop rated good to excellent, up one point from the previous week. The proportion rated poor to very poor declined to 18% from 19%.
