WASHINGTON — Harvest of a forecast record large U.S. corn crop was under way but slightly behind average in most key Corn Belt states as of Sept. 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said in its weekly Crop Progress report.
Corn in the 18 major states was 5% harvested as of Sept. 11, just ahead of 4% at the same time last year but behind 7% as the 2011-15 average for the date, the U.S.D.A. said. One per cent of the crop was harvested in top-producing Iowa, compared with none at the same time last year and 3% as the average for the date. Harvest in No. 2 producer Illinois was 3% completed, behind 5% last year and 7% as the average. Corn harvested in Indiana was 3% (3% average), Nebraska 1% (4% average) and Missouri 18% (21% average). Harvest as of Sept. 11 had not yet begun in Ohio (1% average), Minnesota (1% average) or Wisconsin (zero average).
The 18-state average was boosted by southern states, with harvest in North Carolina at 66%, Texas at 58%, Tennessee at 38% and Kentucky at 27%, all at or above the average pace for the date.
The U.S.D.A. on Sept. 12 forecast U.S. corn production at a record 15,093 million bus, based on a record average yield of 174.4 bus an acre and harvested area at 86.6 million acres.
