US corn, soybean harvests complete and wheat conditions improve

The US corn and soybean harvests are now complete as of the week ended Sunday November 17, according to the USDA’s weekly crop progress report released on Monday November 18. Corn and soybean harvests both surpassed market analysts’ estimate of 98% complete ahead of the report.

For the equivalent period last year, corn progress was reported at 92%, and the soybean harvest for this period was reported at 96%.

Meanwhile, sunflower harvest progressed to 88% complete, up from 81% last week.

This is significantly ahead of the 75% reported for the same period last year and the five-year average of 78%.

Winter wheat planting reached 94% completion, an increase from 91% the prior week, and equal to last year’s progress but slightly below the five-year average of 96%.

Analysts had anticipated planting to be reported at 95% complete.

Emergence was reported at 84%, up from 76% last week, matching the five-year average but slightly below 85% last year.

The percentage of the winter wheat crop rated in good-to-excellent condition improved to 49%, rising from 44% last week.

However, this remains below 48% last year.

Topsoil and subsoil moisture both improved week on week.

Topsoil moisture conditions during the reporting week were described as 13% very short, 28% short, 52% adequate and 7% surplus, compared with 17% very short, 31% short, 46% adequate and 6% surplus last week.

Subsoil moisture conditions were listed as 16% very short, 34% short, 47% adequate and 3% surplus, compared with 18% very short, 35% short, 44% adequate and 3% surplus in the previous report.

The updated progress highlights the strong pace of harvesting and planting in the US this season.

Sunflower
88% harvested (81% last week, 75% last year, 78% five-year average)

Winter wheat
94% planted (91% last week, 94% last year, 96% five-year average)
84% emerged (76% last week, 85% last year, 84% five-year average)
49% good-to-excellent condition (44% last week, 48% last year)