The U.S. corn harvest made modest progress this past week, while soybean harvest got underway.
USDA’s weekly crop progress report on Monday showed 8% of the U.S. corn crop had been harvested as of Sunday, up from 5% a week earlier and ahead of the five-year average of 6%. Meanwhile, the national soybean harvest was 6% complete, twice the five-year average of 3% and slightly ahead of 5% at the same point last year.
Illinois had harvested 8% of its corn crop as of Sunday, while Iowa and Indiana were each 2% complete. North Dakota was 1% harvested, while Michigan and Ohio had yet to register measurable progress.
For soybeans, Illinois had harvested 4% of its soybean crop, while Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and North Dakota were each 3% complete. Michigan had yet to report measurable harvest progress.
Corn development also moved quickly during the week. Nationally, 42% of the crop had reached maturity, up sharply from 25% a week earlier and ahead of the five-year average of 38%.
Illinois corn was 50% mature, followed by Iowa at 38% and Indiana at 32%. Ohio and North Dakota were each 22% mature, while Michigan lagged at just 4%.
The share of U.S. corn that had reached the dent stage climbed to 86%, up from 76% the previous week and slightly ahead of the 84% five-year average.
Soybean development accelerated as well, with 44% of the national crop dropping leaves, up from 26% a week earlier and ahead of the five-year average of 37%. The North Dakota crop was 60% dropping leaves, with Illinois at 46%, Iowa and Indiana at 43% each, Michigan at 37% and Ohio at 24%.
U.S. corn condition ratings improved slightly, with 57% of the crop rated good to excellent, up from 56% the previous week.
Soybean conditions were unchanged, with 58% of the crop rated good to excellent for a second consecutive week.
