Harvest Progress Slows with the End in Sight – DTN

The closer we get to the “end” of harvest, the slower and smaller the percentage increases in the complete category seem to come. As Keith Landis from Sterling, Ill., put it in an email to DTN, “Our experience is, what takes one day in October, takes two days in November, and three days in December.”

In the last week, corn harvest increased 9 percentage points to 89% complete and soybean harvest increased 4 points to 94% complete, according to USDA’s weekly Crop Progress report. Those totals compare to five-year averages of 88% and 96%.

“This report should be viewed as neutral for corn as overall harvest progress is close to its five-year average pace, as expected,” said DTN Analyst Todd Hultman. “Monday’s report should be viewed as neutral for soybeans as harvest edges closer to the finish line.”

Winter wheat is 95% planted and 87% emerged, compared to 93% and 83% last week and five-year averages of 97% and 84%. Winter wheat condition was steady.

“USDA’s good-to-excellent rating of 60% kept DTN’s Winter Wheat Condition Index at 157, down from 158 a year ago, but up from the five-year average of 128.2,” Hultman said. “Monday’s report should be viewed as neutral with a good pace of winter wheat emergence and crop condition as wheat enters its dormant stage.”

Sorghum is 83% harvested, compared to 75% last week and 87% on average.

Cotton is 69% harvested, compared to 62% last week and a 74% five-year average.