U.S. corn, soybean harvests reach 95% complete, USDA reports

The U.S. farmers near completion of this year's corn and soybean harvests, according to the USDA Crop Progress Report.

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CORN

As of Sunday, the USDA pegged the U.S. corn harvest at 95% complete vs. a 92% five-year average.

The corn harvest in Indiana is 91% complete. In Iowa, farmers have picked 95% of the crop. In Nebraska, corn farmers are 95% finished.

SOYBEANS

As of Sunday, the USDA rated the nation's soybean harvest at 95% complete vs. a 96% five-year average.

In Indiana, the cutting of soybeans is 94% finished vs. a 89% five-year average. In North Carolina, the farmers are 77% finished vs. a 65% five-year average.

WHEAT

In its report Monday, the USDA rated the U.S. winter wheat condition at 44% good/excellent vs. 46% a week ago.

Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data collected each week from early April through the end of November, according to the USDA report. "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. Based on standard definitions, these respondents subjectively estimate the progress of crops through various stages of development, as well as the progress of producer activities. They also provide subjective evaluations of crop conditions," the USDA stated in its Monday report.

Most respondents complete their questionnaires 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 report.