Highlights: Winter storm systems delivered cooler than normal temperatures to much of the western half of the country, slowing small grain development. In contrast, the eastern half of the Nation experienced above average temperatures. Abnormally wet weather continued from the Great Plains eastward to the Atlantic Coast. Precipitation accumulations totaled upward of 400 percent of normal across much of the Great Plains, Corn Belt, and Delta, further delaying harvest and causing crop conditions to worsen. Dry conditions throughout much of the Southwest and California promoted cotton and sorghum harvest.
Corn: Acreage at or beyond the mature stage advanced to 94 percent, 4 points behind last year and 5 points behind the 5-year average. The most significant delay was evident in North Dakota where crop maturity was 34 points, or over 1 month behind normal. Producers had harvested 25 percent of the Nation's crop by week's end, 28 points behind last year and 46 points, or 1 month, behind the average. Harvest delays of 3 weeks or more were evident in the 6 largest corn-producing States, with progress in Illinois over 5 weeks behind normal. Overall, 67 percent of the corn crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down 2 points from ratings last week but 3 points better than last year. Conditions in unharvested corn fields throughout the Great Plains, Corn Belt, and Great Lakes continued to deteriorate as reports of unfavorably high moisture levels and mold were reported.
Soybeans: Producers harvested 7 percent of the 2009 soybean crop during the week, leaving progress, at 51 percent, 34 points behind last year and 36 points, or over 3 weeks, behind the 5-year average. Persistent rainfall and mostly below average temperatures across much of the growing region have caused harvest delays in all of the 18 major soybean-producing States except North Carolina. Overall, 63 percent of the soybean crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down 2 points from ratings last week. The most significant decline in condition was evident in Wisconsin where continued excess moisture led to bursting pods and mold development.
Winter Wheat: Winter wheat seeding advanced to 79 percent complete, 9 points behind last year and 11 points behind the 5-year average. In Arkansas, rainfall in excess of 5 inches across much of the growing region halted fieldwork, prohibiting any winter wheat seeding during the week. Elsewhere, dry conditions allowed producers in California to seed 12 percent of their intended acreage during the week. Emergence advanced to 64 percent complete, 10 points behind last year and 11 points behind the average. Emergence was most rapid in Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana where adequate soil moisture and above average temperatures provided ideal conditions for seed germination. Overall, 64 percent of the winter wheat crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up slightly from ratings last week but 3 points below last year.
Cotton: Acreage at or beyond the bolls opened stage advanced just 1 point during the week to 92 percent, 2 points behind last year and 3 points behind the 5-year average. In Texas, the largest cotton-producing State, progress stalled as the crop in the High Plains lacked the heat units needed to open the bolls remaining on the top part of the plants. Harvest advanced to 28 percent by week's end, 17 points behind last year and 22 points behind the average. Rainfall totaling at least 200 percent of normal pushed harvest even further behind the average in the Delta and Tennessee where delays of 1 month or more were evident. Overall, 42 percent of the cotton crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down 2 points from ratings last week and 5 points below last year.
Sorghum: Maturity advanced to 83 percent by November 1, six points behind last year and 10 points behind the 5-year average. The most significant delay was evident in Texas where abnormally cool temperatures during the past few weeks left overall progress 17 points, or over 1 month, behind normal. Producers harvested 3 percent of the Nation's crop during the week. At 45 percent complete, harvest was 10 points behind last year and 23 points behind the average. Overall, 47 percent of the sorghum crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from ratings last week but down 6 points from last year.
Rice: Nationally, producers had harvested 89 percent of the rice crop by week's end, 8 points behind last year and 9 points behind the 5-year average. Harvest was complete or nearly complete in California, Louisiana, and Texas while delays of 15 points or more remained in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Missouri.
Other Crops: Peanut harvest surpassed the halfway point during the week. With 56 percent of the 2009 crop dug and combined, progress was 21 points behind last year and 19 points behind the 5-year average. In Alabama, the third largest peanut-producing State, wet fields limited fieldwork, leaving nearly half of the crop dug but just one-quarter combined. Elsewhere, drier conditions and above average temperatures along the Atlantic Coast provided ideal harvest conditions for producers from Virginia southward into Florida. Overall, 66 percent of the peanut crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down 1 point from ratings last week.
Eighty-one percent of the sugarbeet crop was harvested by week's end, 6 points behind last year and 9 points behind the 5-year average. Harvest was most active in Idaho and Michigan where 6 and 3 days suitable for fieldwork allowed producers to dig 20 and 30 percent of their crop during the week.
Producers had harvested 15 percent of the sunflower crop by November 1, thirty-one points behind last year and 42 points, or over 2 weeks, behind the 5-year average. Harvest was active but slow in all estimating States during the week as above average precipitation limited fieldwork to 3 days or less.
