All 5 of These States Have Just 2% of the 2024 Soybean Crop Left to Harvest

According to the latest USDA Crop Progress report, soybean harvest in five of the top 18 soybean growing states reached 98% the week ending Nov. 3. Although farmers in these states will not pass the finish line first — Minnesota already claimed first place, and Louisiana is at 99% — a total of just 579,800 acres stand between these five states and a completed 2024 soybean harvest.

Iowa

Soybean farmers in Iowa saw widespread and above-normal rainfall the week ending Nov. 3, but they still managed to increase soybean harvest progress by 2 percentage points to reach 98% completion. The five-year average for the state’s soybean harvest at this point is 92%. 

According to State Climatologist Justin Glisan, the rainfall across the state was substantial: “Nearly a month’s worth of rain fell at many stations,” he said. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig admitted that the moisture may temporarily delay harvest progress, but it will also reduce dust and decrease fire risk.

According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service June 2024 Acreage report, with an expected total soybean harvest of 9.820 million acres this season, Iowa farmers have just 196,400 acres of soybeans left to harvest.

Nebraska

In the Cornhusker State, farmers’ efforts increased soybeans harvested by 4 percentage points for the week. The 98% completion percentage is ahead of the state’s five-year average by two percentage points.

Agronomist Travis Gustafson of Syngenta said that soybean yields have been good in his state. He added, however, “We feel like the late season heat and lack of moisture really took out the top end of soybeans.” 

Of a total 5.25 million acres of soybeans expected to be harvested in Nebraska, just 105,000 acres are left.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin’s soybean harvest increased by two percentage points the week ending Nov. 3 to reach 98%. Of the five states, the Badger State is by far the furthest ahead of its respective five-year average, which is just 83%.

According to Agronomist Nick Groth of Syngenta, Wisconsin soybean growers have been fairly satisfied with soybean yields, which have been around average in many areas. He did add, “Parts of eastern and northern Wisconsin may have been more disappointed with soybean yields, with some of these areas reporting yields well below average.”

Wisconsin farmers have just 42,400 of their projected 2.12 million acres of soybeans left to harvest at this point.

The Dakotas

North Dakota’s soybean harvest progress increased by 3 percentage points the week ending Nov. 3 to reach 98%. The state is a striking 9 percentage points ahead of its five-year average. 

South Dakota’s progress increased by 2 percentage points to reach 98%, taking it 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

In North Dakota, 135,000 of a total 6.75 million acres of soybeans remain to be harvested. South Dakota soybean farmers still need to run 101,000 acres of a total 5.05 million to finish up their season.