Corn growers harvested nearly one-fifth of the U.S. corn crop last week – around 2.9 billion bushels – last week but the harvest is far behind its usual rate, says the weekly Crop Progress report. Overall, 65 percent of the crop is in the bin, up 19 points from a week ago but trailing the five-year average of 73 percent complete by the start of November. Work is moving slowest in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota and Wisconsin. With 31 percent of its corn harvested, Wisconsin is 25 points behind normal. The soybean harvest is on track with 83 percent of the crop harvested. Both crops are forecast to set records this year.
“A surge in harvest had been expected because of clear weather most of last week and through the weekend,” said Farm Futures.
On the strength of its fruit and vegetable crops, California reigns as the No 1 agricultural state, says USDA in a report on the value of crop production from 2007-12. California average $24 billion a year for the period. Iowa was second with an average $16.9 billion and Illinois third at $14.8 billion.