Here’s How Corn Harvest Stacks Up Among Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska

Corn harvest in the country’s top three corn-growing states is nearly complete for 2024. Here’s a look at how farmers are wrapping up this season and preparing for the next, according to data from the latest USDA Crop Progress report and input from agronomists.

Which State Is Closest to Finishing Harvest?

Illinois leads these three corn growing states when it comes to being the closest to wrapping up harvest for 2024. Corn harvested in the Prairie State reached 95% the week ending Nov. 3, an increase of eight percentage points for the week. That’s 14 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

Agronomy Manager Ryan Gentle of Wyffels said corn yields in his area of the state are in the 220- to 300-bushel-per-acre range, “depending on location and management level.” 

Iowa is also closing in on finishing harvest and ranked second of the three states for percentage completed. Iowa’s corn harvest reached 92% by Nov. 3, an increase of 8 percentage points for the week. With that, the state is 17 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. 

Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said that measurable rainfall, which much of the state saw the week ending Nov. 3, may delay continued progress. “However,” he added, “it will also provide the added benefits of reducing dust, decreasing fire risk, and helping to replenish our dry soils, waterways, and pastures.”

As for Nebraska, corn harvest reached 90%. That was an increase of 11 percentage points for the week, and it’s ahead of the five-year average by 12 percentage points.

According to Syngenta Agronomist Travis Gustafson, Nebraska’s corn yields have been good, but there’s a caveat. “Nobody has been disappointed with corn yields, but with low commodity prices, farmers are always wishing for a few more bushels out there.” 

Much-Needed Rainfall Diminished Days Suitable for Fieldwork

Although the amount differed among them, all three states got some much-needed rainfall the week ending Nov. 3. Notably, farmers in all three states had the fewest number of days suitable for fieldwork seen in quite some time.

Gentle said North Illinois got about a quarter of an inch of rain, and Central Illinois got up to one inch. With that, farmers in the state still had 5.7 days to work with to keep harvest moving.

Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan reported that most of his state saw “widespread and above-normal rainfall” during the week ending Nov. 3. With that widespread rainfall, Iowa farmers had 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. That’s the fewest number of suitable days Iowa farmers have seen since early July, a testament to the exceedingly dry season. 

In Nebraska, farmers had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Gustafson said there were scattered showers across the state, but “rain amounts have not been significant.” 

How Are End-of-Season Activities Going?

For all three states, precipitation and resulting soil moisture, or a lack thereof, are the make-or-break factors when it comes to end-of-season activities.

In Illinois, dry conditions are moving harvest along but taking a toll on tillage and nitrogen application activities. Gentle said that farmers have had to stop vertical tillage in his area of Central Illinois, noting that it’s so dry “the tools won’t even go into the ground.” He also reported that soil temperatures are still too high for anhydrous applications, and that the dry soil isn’t sealing.

The rainfall Iowa saw has made a big difference in end-of-season activities there. Secretary Naig said, “For the many farmers who have seeded cover crops or are planning to do so, the rain also provided a much needed boost toward getting them established.” He added that outlooks for the next two weeks indicate warmer temperatures and more rain.

Gustafson said in Nebraska there’s a concern about the lack of soil moisture for anhydrous applications once they start up this month. “A few showers across the state will make these operations much more worthwhile,” he said.