Winter wheat remains in worse condition than last year

The United States Department of Agriculture released its 34th Crop Progress report of the growing season Monday afternoon. These reports run weekly through the end of November and look at the progress and condition of various crops on a national and state-by-state scale.

WHEAT

This week, USDA reports 87% of winter wheat has emerged, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 86%. 

Winter wheat condition is rated 32% good/excellent, the same rating as last week. Thirty-five percent is rated fair. Thirty-three percent is rated poor/very poor, up 1% from last week. Last year at this time 44% was rated good/excellent.

TOP SOIL MOISTURE 

According to USDA, 53% of the top soil in the 48 continental states is short or very short of moisture. This is down from 54% the week before. 

CORN

As of Nov. 20, 96% of the corn is harvested, ahead of the five-year average of 90%.

In the top 18 growing corn states, corn harvest is over 90% complete in every state besides Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

About the report: Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data collected each week from early April through the end of November, according to USDA. The non-probability crop progress and condition surveys include input from approximately 3,600 respondents whose occupations provide them opportunities to make visual observations and frequently bring them in contact with farmers in their counties. Most respondents complete the questionnaire on Friday or early Monday morning and submit them to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) field offices in their states by mail, telephone, fax, email, or through a secured internet website. A small number of reports are completed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regardless of when questionnaires are completed, respondents are asked to report for the entire week ending on Sunday, according to the Crop Progress Report.