The 2024 Corn Harvest Is Officially Underway; Hurricane Francine to Make Landfall 

The week ending September 8th saw the start of measurable corn harvest in the U.S. for 2024.

The USDA reports 5 percent of this year’s corn crop has been harvested so far, which is slightly above a year ago at this time, and two points ahead of the 5-year average. Texas reports 75 percent of its corn crop has been harvested, while North Carolina has harvested 18 percent. Nine of the 18 primary corn-producing states have yet to begin harvest activities...

Diverse Crop Rotations Reduce Risk of Crop Loss Under Poor Growing Conditions

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are responding to the increasingly uncertain climate. The warmer and more unpredictable weather has been a source of instability on U.S. farms. ARS agroecologists turned to history for a solution to this challenge, which inspired them to better understand the benefits of crop rotations.

Growing a sequence of different crops in rotation has been practiced for millennia. Crop rotations can rebuild soil health, fight pests and diseases, and spread-out risk of various pests and crop disease... 

Corn Harvest Nears Completion in Latest Crop Progress Report

In the latest Crop Progress report, the USDA shows 93% of corn is now harvested, up from 88% the week prior and ahead of the 5-year average figure by two percentage points. Kansas, North Carolina, and Texas are reporting 100% harvest completion. 

Winter wheat plantings are nearing completion as well, with 95% of the crop in the ground as of Sunday, November 19. 87% of winter wheat has emerged and 83% is rated in fair to excellent condition overall.

Nearby corn futures contracts are 2 to 2 ½ cents higher...