U.S. corn harvest is 18% complete, USDA reports

U.S. corn harvest moves ahead of its five-year average, according to the USDA.

Overall, both crops’ progress held steady vs. a week ago, according to the USDA Crop Progress Report.

As of Sunday, the U.S. had 97% of the U.S. corn crop is in the dent stage vs. a 94% five-year average.

The USDA pegged 74% of the crop as mature vs. a 64% five-year average.

On Monday, the U.S. corn condition rating was marked at 59% good/excellent vs. 59% a week ago.

The USDA pegged the U.S. corn harvest at 18% complete vs. a 15% five-year average.

As of Sunday, the USDA rated the nation’s soybean crop as 75% dropping leaves vs. a 66% five-year average.

For soybeans, 58% is rated good/excellent vs. 58% a week ago.

The USDA pegged the U.S. soybean harvest at 16% complete vs. a 13% five-year average.

In its report Monday, the USDA rated the U.S. winter wheat crop is 34% planted vs. a 32% five-year average.

Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data collected each week from early April through the end of November, according to the USDA report. “The non-probability crop progress and condition surveys include input from approximately 3,600 respondents whose occupations provide them opportunities to make visual observations and frequently bring them in contact with farmers in their counties. Based on standard definitions, these respondents subjectively estimate the progress of crops through various stages of development, as well as the progress of producer activities. They also provide subjective evaluations of crop conditions,” the USDA stated in its Monday report.

Most respondents complete their questionnaires on Friday or early Monday morning and submit them to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) field offices in their states by mail, telephone, fax, email, or through a secured internet website. A small number of reports are completed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regardless of when questionnaires are completed, respondents are asked to report for the entire week ending on Sunday, according to the report.

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Tags: corn, winter wheat, soybeans, soybean crop, USA, corn condition, U.S. corn harvest, winter wheat crop