Which State Has Officially Completed 2024 Corn Harvest?

Texas farmers officially wrapped up corn harvest for the season as of Nov. 3, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress report. With that, the Lone Star State is the first of the top 18 corn growing states to reach 100% corn harvested. 

Although this year’s corn harvest outpaced the five-year average all season, the pace slowed in the last few weeks as progress drew near 100%. Harvested corn was at 98% as of Oct. 13, 99% as of Oct. 20, and 99% as of Oct. 27.

Farmers are still working toward completing harvest of other crops, like cotton, and getting winter wheat in the ground.

Cotton Harvest Just Past Halfway

Texas is still a ways off from completing the 2024 harvest of its leading crop. As of Nov. 3, harvested cotton reached 58%, ahead of the five-year average of 49%. 

In the Texas Crop and Condition report, the National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that some cotton wasn’t doing well in several parts of the state: “In the Southern High Plains, the Northern Low Plains, and the Edwards Plateau, some cotton producers were shredding cotton due to failed crop.”

USDA rated over half the state’s cotton very poor/poor at this point in the season. Overall, the crop was rated 22% very poor, 33% poor, 27% fair, 16% good, and 2% excellent.

Three Quarters of Wheat Crop Planted

Texas is moving right along with getting its winter wheat season started. By Nov. 3, 76% of the crop was planted, and 52% had emerged. Both of those percentages are several points shy of respective five-year averages. 

The condition of Texas’ winter wheat is pretty varied at this point in the season. USDA rated the crop 18% very poor, 20% poor, 38% fair, 21% good, and 3% excellent.