Sep 29, 2021
2021 U.S. Corn 18% Harvested vs. 15% Average
Author: Michael Cordonnier/Soybean & Corn Advisor, Inc.
The 2021 U.S. corn crop is 74% mature compared to 73% last year and 64% average. The corn is 18% harvested compared to 14% last year and 15% average. The condition of the U.S. corn crop is unchanged at 59% rated good to excellent.
The corn maturity is being pushed along by the warm and dry weather and the crop maturity is about 10% ahead of average. A quick maturing of the crop can cut short the grain filling process resulting in lighter test weights and slightly lower yields.
Corn harvesting is progressing faster than average in the western Corn Belt vs. the eastern Corn Belt. The corn in Minnesota is 10% harvested vs. 3% average (+7%), Kansas is 36% vs. 30% (+6%), North Dakota is 9% vs. 3% (+6%), South Dakota is 10% vs. 5% (+5%), Illinois is 21% vs. 18% (+3%), Iowa is 9% vs. 6% (+3%), and Nebraska is 13% vs. 10% (+3%).
Corn harvesting is progressing slower than average in some of the eastern and southern areas. The corn in Tennessee is 43% harvested vs. 62% average (-19%), Kentucky is 39% vs. 52% (-13%), and Pennsylvania is 2% vs. 11% (-9).
An additional concern for the corn this year appears to be excessive foliar diseases especially tar spot in the eastern Corn Belt. These diseases can result in premature death of the corn plant, which can also shorten grain filling.
The forecast continues to call for warmer than normal temperatures which should encourage a quick dry down of the grain and a quick harvest.
The 2021 U.S. corn yield was lowered 1.0 bushel to 175.0 bu/ac, and I have a neutral to slightly lower bias going forward.