From Just Starting to Nearly Finished, Here Are the States Harvesting Corn

The following data is according to USDA’s Crop Progress report for the week ending September 8.

Nine states have as little as 1% to as much as 75% of their corn for grain harvest complete.

The entire country’s corn for grain harvest is 5% complete. Here’s a closer look at how harvest is going in the nine states that contributed to that 5%.

Texas

Of the country’s top eighteen corn-growing states, Texas was the furthest along in corn harvest. 

Corn harvest in the Lone Star State reached 75%, up only 5 percentage points since the week prior due to much needed rainfall in parts of the state that delayed some field activity. There was an average of 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork.

Harvest progress is ahead of historical trends. Just 60% of corn harvest was complete a year ago, and the five-year average is 59%. 

The condition of Texas’ corn was rated 9% very poor, 22% poor, 28% fair, 33% good, and 8% excellent.

North Carolina

Although ranked second in corn harvest progress among top corn-growing states, North Carolina had completed only 33% of its corn harvest. That’s 11 percentage points behind harvest progress a year ago and the five-year average. 

The deficit is certainly related to the decision North Carolina farmers have had to make to harvest low quality corn for silage instead of for grain. Very poor corn made up over half the state’s crop, the most in that category all season.

Overall, North Carolina’s corn was rated 51% very poor, 22% poor, 15% fair, 11% good, and 1% excellent. 

Tennessee

Corn harvest surged to 31% in Tennessee, up from just 16% the week prior. Farmers in the state are far exceeding previous years’ harvest progress – only 10% of the crop was harvested a year ago, and the five-year average is just 11%. 

Still, crop conditions are suffering due to high temperatures and rainfall deficits. Early yield estimates were coming in below average as a result from the poor conditions this summer. 

The Tennessee corn crop was rated 10% very poor, 12% poor, 33% fair, 35% good, and 10% excellent. 

Kentucky

Kentucky’s corn harvest progress reached 22%, a jump of 11 percentage points from the previous week. That’s far exceeding 7% a year ago and the five-year average of 9%. 

Some parts of the state saw a fair amount of rain, while others were missed entirely. There is a growing concern for yields in the driest regions as crops are showing stress.

Overall, Kentucky’s corn condition was rated 2% very poor, 8% poor, 21% fair, 56% good, and 13% excellent. 

Kansas

Efforts by Kansas farmers resulted in corn harvest reaching 14%, exactly where progress was a year ago. The five-year average is 10%. 

Thanks to 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork, harvested corn increased by 10 percentage points compared to the week prior.

The corn condition in Kansas was rated as 10% very poor, 17% poor, 32% fair, 32% good, and 9% excellent.

Missouri

In Missouri, 13% of the corn crop had been harvested, an increase of 8 percentage points since the week prior. 

With that, the state’s corn harvest is 6 percentage points ahead of a year ago and 9 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

With 82% good to excellent corn, Missouri has the best rated corn of the top 18 corn-growing states. Overall, the crop was rated 2% very poor, 3% poor, 13% fair, 61% good, and 21% excellent.

Illinois

In Illinois, corn harvest reached 2%, up from none reported the week prior. That’s on track with last year and just ahead of the five-year average of 1%. 

Syngenta Agronomist Phil Krieg said that corn harvest started in southeastern Illinois “primarily due to the severe tar spot disease that caused the corn to die early.” Krieg provided some insight on yields: “Where tar spot went uncontrolled, yields have been impacted as much as 50 bushels per acre from expected yields.”

The corn condition in Illinois was rated 2% very poor, 4% poor, 19% fair, 58% good, and 17% excellent.

Indiana

Indiana’s corn harvested for grain reached 1%, just ahead of 0% a year ago and the five-year average of 0%. 

Indiana’s corn was rated 3% very poor, 6% poor, 23% fair, 54% good, and 14% excellent.

Nebraska

Finally, Nebraska rounds out the top nine states with any corn harvested for grain. Corn harvest in the Cornhusker State reached 1%, on track with last year and the five-year average of 1%. 

Nebraska’s corn condition was rated 4% very poor, 8% poor, 21% fair, 45% good, and 22% excellent.

EDITOR’S TAKE:

The 2024 corn harvest is officially underway! As typically happens, harvest begins in the southern most states and gradually works its way northward as harvest season progresses. Not surprising to see Texas leading the way for percentage harvested since they are typically the first to plant and first to harvest. As for the other states, it’s a mixed bag. Some are ahead of average and some below in terms of progress. However, the other thing to watch closely is the quality of corn harvested. Grain quality can have a large impact on price. All the same, harvest is underway and we hope for a bountiful, safe harvest. Please do whatever you can to encourage safety on the farm/ranch during this hectic time of the year. After harvest is complete, perhaps you might invite farmers/ranchers in your area in for a post-harvest breakfast or lunch. Show them your inventory and talk about the NEW AG WAGON- the first farm/ranch purpose-built truck available exclusively through CAD members!