Corn Harvest Progress
U.S. Corn Harvest Reaches 8% As Crop Development Surpasses National Averages
Anonymous
Key Points
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Nationally, 6% of the soybean crop in the top 18 soybean-producing states had been harvested by Sept. 13, double the five-year average of 3%. Soybeans were also at 44% dropping leaves, compared with a 37% average.
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Nebraska’s corn harvest had reached 3%, matching the five-year average, while 85% was dented and 29% mature. Nebraska soybean development was slower than normal, with 37% dropping leaves—10 points behind the average—and no soybean harvest reported.
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Nebraska’s moisture and pasture conditions were especially poor: 59% of pasture and range was rated poor to very poor, while 50% of topsoil and 61% of subsoil moisture was classified as short to very short.
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Winter wheat planting remained behind schedule, with 8% planted in 11 of the top 18 winter-wheat-producing states versus a five-year average of 12%; meanwhile, spring-wheat harvest was 93% complete across six states, slightly ahead of the 92% average.
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In Michigan, farmer Dennis Garner said some early sugarbeet fields produced more than 30 tons per acre, but he did not expect to profit at current beet prices. He credited cucumbers—where yields and prices were good—with providing diversification and cash flow.
The 2026 U.S. corn harvest is moving faster than usual, with 8% of the crop harvested nationally by mid-September, according to USDA. Soybeans are also ahead of schedule at 6% harvested in top-producing states, double the five-year average. But crop quality has slipped — only 56% of corn and 58% of soybeans rated good to excellent, down from last year.
Drought remains a major threat in the Plains. USDA reported that 59% of Nebraska's pasture was rated poor to very poor, while 50% of topsoil and 61% of subsoil moisture fell short of normal levels. Kansas is harvesting much faster than usual, with 29% of corn already in the bin.
Kansas Races Ahead While Nebraska Battles Drought
Kansas is running 14 days ahead of its normal harvest pace, according to USDA Crop Progress data. The state has harvested 29% of its corn crop by mid-September — far above the typical pace for this time of year. In contrast, Nebraska's corn harvest has only reached 3%, matching the five-year average, even though 85% of the crop is already dented.
Nebraska faces severe moisture stress. USDA reported that 50% of topsoil and 61% of subsoil moisture is classified as short to very short. Pasture conditions are especially dire, with 59% rated poor to very poor. These conditions have slowed soybean development — only 37% of Nebraska soybeans are dropping leaves, 10 points below normal, and no soybean harvest has begun yet.
Soybean Harvest Picking Up Speed
Soybeans are developing faster than normal across top-producing states. According to USDA, 6% of the soybean crop in the top 18 states was harvested by September 13 — double the five-year average of 3%. Leaf drop is also ahead, with 44% of soybeans showing dropped leaves compared with a 37% average.
Michigan Farmer Seeks Profits Beyond Sugarbeets
Michigan's sugarbeet harvest began slowly at 1% complete, but some growers report strong yields. Farmer Dennis Garner said early sugarbeet fields produced more than 30 tons per acre — solid output. However, he does not expect to turn a profit at current beet prices, according to farm reports.
Garner credited cucumbers with keeping his operation afloat. The vegetable crop delivered both good yields and strong prices when beet prices fell short. This diversification strategy highlights how commodity price swings are pushing farmers to grow multiple crops for stability and cash flow.
Winter Wheat Planting Lags Behind Normal Pace
Winter wheat planting is running behind schedule across the Midwest. According to USDA, only 8% of winter wheat had been planted in 11 of the top 18 winter-wheat-producing states by mid-September, compared with a five-year average of 12%. Spring wheat harvest, by contrast, is nearly complete at 93% finished across six states, slightly ahead of the 92% average.
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