Crop Progress: Winter Wheat Planting Advances Amid Moisture Shortages

For the week ending Sept. 29, 2024, there were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 30% very short, 37% short, 32% adequate and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 24% very short, 40% short, 35% adequate and 1% surplus.

Field Crops Report:

Corn condition rated 4% very poor, 7% poor, 20% fair, 48% good and 21% excellent. Corn mature was 79%, near 81% last year but ahead of 74% for the five-year average. Harvested was 17%, near 20% last year and 16% average.

Soybean condition rated 3% very poor, 6% poor, 23% fair, 51% good and 17% excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 88%, near 92% last year and equal to average. Harvested was 24%, near 25% last year and 23% average. 

Winter wheat planted was 71%, near 74% last year and 67% average. Emerged was 20%, behind 31% last year and near 24% average. 

Sorghum condition rated 0% very poor, 3% poor, 20% fair, 52% good and 25% excellent. Sorghum mature was 57%, near 59% both last year and average. Harvested was 6%, behind 12% last year and near 10% average.

Dry edible bean condition rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 23% fair, 46% good, and 25% excellent. Dry edible beans dropping leaves was 85%, near 84% last year but behind 90% average. Harvested was 56%, near 52% last year but behind 64% average.

Pasture and Range Report:

Pasture and range conditions rated 13% very poor, 28% poor, 33% fair, 21% good and 5% excellent.