Sixty-eight percent of the U.S. corn crop has been harvested so far this year, compared to just 16 percent in 2009, according to USDA\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Crop Progress Report, nearly double the five-year average of 39 percent. <\/p>\n
Illinois reported 93 percent harvested compared to 10 percent in October 2009. This trend is also seen in other states including Iowa, 66 percent harvested compared to 9 percent in 2009; and Minnesota, 47 percent harvested compared to just 3 percent harvested in 2009.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We were able to complete our harvest sooner due to a much earlier planting season and a rapid maturation of the crop caused by a very warm summer and fall,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd said Ron Gray, a farmer from southeastern Illinois and corn sector director for the U.S. Grains Council. <\/p>\n
Other U.S. farmers are experiencing a similar crop yield. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153In our area, the harvest is about 90 to 95 percent complete,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd said Keith Witt, a farmer from Warrenton, Mo., and Council delegate representing Missouri Corn Merchandising Council. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Although it was wet at times and yields are down in most places, the weather was very ideal, allowing for a great growing season and a quality crop.\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd <\/p>\n
Many U.S. corn farmers are finding a common denominator this harvest season: excellent quality. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The last two years quality was down some and that shouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be an issue with this year\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s corn crop,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd said Julius Schaaf, USGC secretary and Iowa farmer. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153There was a cool summer in Iowa last year and a lot of the corn never reached maturity before the frost. This year, the quality is fantastic. This will be one of the highest quality corn crops for export we have ever had.\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd <\/p>\n
Farmers from other states, including Gerald Tumbleson from southern Minnesota and Council delegate for the Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council, echoed Schaaf\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sentiments. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We were able to plant two weeks early in the spring,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd Tumbelson said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hot temperatures in the summer and a dry fall allowed the corn to grow well and dry out quickly, saving us a lot of money on drying costs. At a yield of just over 200 bushels per acre, this is one of the best quality crops on record.\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd <\/p>\n
Even with the 2010 harvest projected to be the third-largest ever, providing a high-quality product to to the global marketplace is important to U.S. corn farmers and is high on their priority list. With the 2010 harvest about to conclude earlier than usual, farmers plan for next spring and prepare the fields for the 2011 planting and harvest. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153This fall is proving to be ideal to prepare for the 2011 crop year,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd Schaaf said. <\/p>\n
Schaaf conveyed confidence in a bright future for U.S. farmers for crop production in 2011 and beyond. <\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The market is sending a clear signal to U.S. corn farmers to do all that can be done to produce a record, high-quality crop in 2011,\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd he said. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Farmers can and will respond by using the newest advanced corn hybrids and crop management techniques to ensure global food security.\u00e2\u20ac\ufffd<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sixty-eight percent of the U.S. corn crop has been harvested so far this year, compared to just 16 percent in 2009, according to USDA\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Crop Progress Report, nearly double the five-year average of 39 percent. Illinois reported 93 percent harvested compared to 10 percent in October 2009. This trend is also seen in other states … <\/p>\n