USDA Reports Corn and Sorghum Harvest Progress

By Scout Nelson

For the week ending September 15, 2024, there were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture was rated 20% very short, 33% short, 46% adequate, and 1% surplus, while subsoil moisture levels were similar, with 17% very short, 30% short, 52% adequate, and 1% surplus.

The field crops report indicated that corn conditions rated 3% very poor, 7% poor, 25% fair, 51% good, and 14% excellent. Corn dented was reported at 79%, slightly behind last year’s 84%, but close to the five-year average of 80%. Corn maturity was at 24%, behind 29% last year and the 31% average. Corn harvesting had just begun, with 1% harvested, compared to 4% last year and the 2% five-year average.

Soybean conditions showed 3% very poor, 8% poor, 28% fair, 50% good, and 11% excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves stood at 32%, significantly behind last year’s 52% and the five-year average of 47%. The soybean harvest had just started, with 1% harvested, matching last year and the average.

Winter wheat planting was at 25%, close to 29% last year and above the 21% average.

Sorghum conditions rated 3% very poor, 7% poor, 30% fair, 58% good, and 2% excellent. Sorghum coloring was at 94%, ahead of 86% for both last year and the average. However, sorghum maturity was behind, at 27%, compared to 39% last year and 31% average. Sorghum harvest began slowly, with 1% harvested, near the 2% average.

Sunflower conditions rated 7% very poor, 7% poor, 31% fair, 50% good, and 5% excellent. Progress lagged with sunflowers' ray flowers dry at 64% and bracts turning yellow at 31%, both behind last year’s pace. Sunflower braces turning brown was 9%, near last year’s 6%.

Pasture and range conditions were reported as 18% very poor, 24% poor, 28% fair, 24% good, and 6% excellent, reflecting the ongoing challenge of maintaining healthy pastures.

Photo Credit:usda