| Last week’s Super Harvest Moon (or Harvest Moon Supermoon) indicates it’s that time of the year when a cloud of dust on the horizon means a combine grinding its way through a field with a tractor and grain cart in pursuit. The USDA projects Nebraska farmers will harvest 9.7 million corn acres and 5.25 million soybean acres this year. Numerous acres of sorghum, sugar beets, dry beans, peas, and other crops will be harvested as well. The September 16 USDA crop progress report noted this year’s first harvest stirrings. As of September 15 (week 37), farmers had harvested 5% of the corn acres and 1% of the soybeans. This year’s progress is about average for week 37 of the year. Figure 1 plots the average weekly harvest progress between 1996-2022 for corn and soybeans for weeks 35-48, roughly September 1 through November 30. Harvest in Nebraska typically begins in early to mid-September. By the end of the month, between 15-20 percent will be completed. In early October, progress on soybeans surges ahead of corn. For the week ending between October 5-10, 43% of the soybean crop on average is harvested compared to 23% of the corn. The quickening pace means soybean harvest usually finishes in early November while corn harvest, on average, is finished by the end of November. More than 80% of Nebraska’s soybean crop is harvested in October whereas 80% of the corn crop is harvested over the 6-7 week period between October 1-November 18. Harvest is the culmination of the growing season for crop producers whose financial success hinges on the outcome. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate this year, the breakdowns will be few, and progress will continue smoothly. |
| FIGURE 1. AVERAGE CORN & SOYBEAN HARVEST PROGRESS IN NEB. (1996-2022) |
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| Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service |
