U.S. corn harvest almost 20 percent complete

Producers in North Carolina lead the nation

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Combines continue to roll through American corn fields.

U.S. farmers have harvested about 16 percent of the total 2018 corn crop, the USDA’s latest Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin says. That number is up from 9 percent last week.

On a state level, growers in North Carolina have combined the most corn.

Producers in the state are 76 percent through their corn harvest. That figure represents a 10 percent increase from last week.

Growers in Colorado have harvested 1 percent of the state’s corn, which is the lowest figure among the 18 documented states.

The USDA ranked 69 percent of the American corn crop in good to excellent condition.

Soybeans

American farmers also continue to make progress with their 2018 soybean harvest.

Growers have combined about 14 percent of the country’s total soybean acres, the USDA says. That number is up from 6 percent last week.

Louisiana soybean growers lead the U.S. in harvest completion.

Farmers in the state have completed 66 percent of their harvest. That number represents a 15 percent increase from last week.

Producers in North Carolina and Michigan have combined the fewest soybeans.

Growers in both states are 4 percent through their respective soybean harvests. Those numbers represent a 1 percent increase from last week for North Carolina’s farmers, and a 4 percent uptick from last week for Michigan producers.

The USDA ranked 68 percent of the national soybean crop in good to excellent condition.

Wheat

U.S. farmers are also moving ahead with 2018 winter wheat planting.

Farmers have seeded 28 percent of the national winter wheat crop, the USDA says. That number is up 15 percent from last week.

Growers in Washington have planted the most winter wheat to this point.

State producers have seeded 65 percent of their winter wheat. That number is up from 47 percent last week.

Producers in North Carolina are the only ones yet to plant any winter wheat.

Suitable fieldwork days

Farmers in California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona experienced seven days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sept. 23.

During that same period, growers in North Carolina (2.7), Iowa (3) and Minnesota (3.1) had the fewest suitable fieldwork days.

Weekly precipitation levels

The next Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin will be released Oct. 2.