The US corn crop is maturing early. USDA's Crop Progress report of Tuesday 8 September put the national crop two points ahead of its five-year average for maturity, with ten of the main producing states ahead of their own averages and five of them ahead by double digits.

Tennessee leads with 81% of its corn mature in the week ending 6 September, 26 points ahead of average and up from 62% the week before. Kentucky followed at 72% against a five-year average of 52%, Kansas at 53% against 42%, and Minnesota and North Dakota each ten points ahead at 24% and 16% respectively.

In Kentucky harvest is well under way. "Dry conditions throughout the region have rapidly dried down fields, allowing most operations to begin or make significant progress with harvest," said Rob Nalley, field agronomist for Beck's Hybrids in Kentucky and south-west Indiana, adding that yields had been very good and some fields had set records. In Kansas, Stine Seed agronomist Brett Gordon said hot, dry weather had allowed rapid harvest of corn and early-planted soybeans.

Minnesota is a study in contrasts. Jared Goplen, agronomy manager for Wyffels Hybrids, said the driest pockets around Rock and Pipestone counties had begun harvesting corn that died prematurely from drought, with wind knocking over stalks weakened as plants cannibalised them to fill the ear. Further east and around Watertown, South Dakota, he said, timely rain had kept the crop excellent and still green at about half milk line.

Five more states are ahead by single digits: Missouri with 46% mature (four points ahead), South Dakota 22% (nine ahead), Wisconsin 14% (seven ahead), Ohio 16% (three ahead) and Illinois 29% (two ahead).

Condition ratings vary widely with the weather. Tennessee's corn is 79% good to excellent and Kentucky's 71%, while Kansas has 37% poor or very poor and North Dakota 48%. An early-maturing crop shortens the season's exposure to late-summer stress but also brings harvest, and new supply, forward. Reporting by Kacey Birchmier.

Source: Successful Farming