The latest USDA Crop Progress Report shows harvest moving along in key states, though both corn and soybeans remain slightly behind the five-year average pace. Sunny, warm weather east of the Rockies should make for a good week of harvest and fieldwork, while showers in the West bring needed moisture but slow progress, according to DTN Ag Meteorologist John Baranick.

Corn

  • Harvest is 44% complete nationally as of Oct. 18, up 11 points from last week, but 8 points behind the five-year average (52%).
  • Iowa is 26% harvested, still a ways away from the five-year average pace (50%). Nebraska is 37% harvested, 11 points behind the five-year pace (48%).
  • 95% mature, one point behind the five-year average (96%).
  • Condition dropped slightly from last week to 56% good-to-excellent.

Soybeans

  • Harvest jumped 18 points over last week to 64%, one point behind the five-year average (65%).
  • Iowa saw a large jump to 57% harvested, but still 17% behind the five-year pace. Illinois had a strong week, now 66% harvested. This is 6 points ahead of the five-year average.
  • Dropping leaves at 96%, closing in on the pace of the five-year average (97%).

Winter Wheat

  • Planting is 63% complete, 6 points behind the five-year average of 69%, but 12 points ahead of last week.
  • Kansas saw a 16-point boost up to 60% planted, but still 9 points behind the five-year average.
  • 39% emerged, four points behind the five-year average.

Read more commentary from DTN and the full USDA report here.