Good weather has aided farmers with this year’s harvest.  The nation’s corn harvest in the 18 top corn growing states is 31 percent complete which compares to the 39 percent harvested a year ago.  The U-S Department of Agriculture reports the five-year average for corn harvested by this date is at 30 percent.  Across the region, Minnesota farmers have harvested only 14 percent of this year’s crop compared to 34 percent at this time last year.  Nebraska farmers are ahead of last year’s pace with having harvested 34 percent of their corn crop compared to a year ago at only 28 percent.  Iowa is running five percentage points behind last year with 23 percent of the state’s corn crop harvested as of Sunday, October 9th.  Last year at this time Iowa farmers had already harvested 28 percent of their corn crop.  South Dakota is three percent behind last year with 28 percent of their corn harvested.  A year ago, South Dakota farmers had already harvested 31 percent of the corn crop.

Soybean harvest across the nation is listed as being 44 percent complete compared to last year of 47 percent.  Minnesota has 63 percent of the soybeans harvested.  Last year at this time, Minnesota farmers had harvested 80 percent of the soybean crop.  Nebraska is close to last year’s pace with the soybean harvest with 54 percent complete compared to a year ago at 56 percent finished.  Iowa farmers are ahead of last year’s rate with 55 percent of the state’s soybean crop harvested compared to a year ago at this date with 54 percent.  South Dakota is 56 percent done which compares to last year at 65 percent completed.