U.S. farmers begin corn harvest

Producers in Texas lead the nation

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Combines are starting to roll through U.S. corn fields.

American farmers have harvested about 5 percent of the total 2018 corn crop, the USDA’s latest Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin says. That number is on par with last year’s progress at this time.

On a state level, farmers in Texas are the furthest along.

Growers in the state have completed 63 percent of their corn harvest, which is the highest among the 18 recorded states.

Farmers in Pennsylvania have harvested 1 percent of their corn acres, while producers in several other states have yet to harvest any corn.

The USDA ranked 68 percent of the U.S. corn crop in good to excellent condition.

Soybeans

U.S. soybeans continue to drop leaves.

About 31 percent of American soybeans have dropped their leaves. That number is up from 16 percent last week.

Soybean fields in Louisiana have dropped the most leaves.

About 78 percent of soybeans in the state are in this stage, the USDA says. That number is the highest of the 18 primary production states.

Soybeans in Missouri have dropped 9 percent of their leaves, which is the lowest figure among the documented states.

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

Wheat

U.S. farmers are almost finished with spring wheat harvest.

Growers have completed about 93 percent of the 2018 spring wheat harvest, the USDA says. That number is up from 87 percent last week.

Growers in South Dakota have wrapped up their harvest. They’re the only farmers among the six recorded states to have a complete harvest.

Montana wheat producers have completed 87 percent of their spring wheat harvest. That number is up from 75 percent last week but is the lowest figure among the documented states.

Farmers are also beginning to plant their winter wheat.

U.S. producers have planted about 5 percent of their winter wheat crop.

Farmers in Washington have planted 29 percent of their winter wheat, which is the most progress from the 18 primary production states.

Indiana farmers have planted 1 percent of their winter wheat and farmers several other states are yet to plant any winter wheat.

Suitable fieldwork days

Farmers in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah experienced seven suitable fieldwork days for the week ending Sept. 9.

During that same week, farmers in Kansas (1.8), Iowa (2.1) and Missouri (3), experienced the fewest suitable fieldwork days.

Weekly precipitation levels

The next Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin will be released Sept. 18.