Crop analysts indicated wet conditions had slowed the harvest pace this year.
Corn harvest in the 18 major states was 9% completed as of Sept. 18, up from 5% a week earlier, even with a year ago but behind 12% as the 2011-15 average for the date, the USDA said. Corn was 2% harvested in top-producing Iowa compared with 7% as the average. The crop in the 18 states was 53% mature, modestly ahead of 48% both last year and as the five-year average. Condition ratings were unchanged from a week earlier at 74% good to excellent compared with 68% at the same time last year.
Soybeans in the 18 major states were 4% harvested as of Sept. 18, behind 6% a year ago and 5% as the 2011-15 average, the USDA said. Harvest had not yet begun in the two largest producing U.S. states of Iowa (3% average harvested for the date) and Illinois (2% average). Forty-six per cent of the crop was dropping leaves in the 18 states compared with 43% as the five-year average. The crop was rated 73% good to excellent, unchanged from a week earlier and compared with 63% a year ago.
Spring wheat in the six major producing states was 98% harvested as of Sept. 18, ahead of 93% as the average pace.
Winter wheat in the top 18 states was 17% planted, slightly ahead of 16% both a year ago and as the five-year average.