Harvest Update: Are Recent Rains Too Little Too Late?

The rain that crops have been thirsting for this summer has arrived in many states. The timing, however, has slowed recent harvest progress.

According to USDA’s crop progress report, 11% of corn and 7% of soybeans have been harvested so far. That compares to 15% and 12%, respectively, at this time last year.

In several states, such as Wisconsin, that might be due to recent rainfalls.

Others, such as this eastern Iowa farmer, have been impacted by hail.

Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas have made the most progress when it comes to corn harvest. Mississippi and Louisiana have harvested the most soybeans.

As for the farmers who have been able to get into the fields, many report low yields in comparison to the past few years – something that has been widely attributed to drought.

This northwestern Ohio farmer shared his fields received about half of the rainfall they typically get in a growing season.

Another grower based in Nebraska is seeing similar yields. His crops only received light rains around planting and not much since.

USDA lists the majority of crops harvested so far in the “fair” and “good” categories. The amount of soybeans in the “poor” and “very poor” condition categories, however, are slightly higher than 2022.

In the coming week, rain is in the forecast for the Northern Plains, Pacific Northwest and northern Texas. The Eastern Seaboard and Great Lakes areas, however, are expected to be mostly dry.