USDA reported that corn harvest reached 18% across 18 selected states for the week ending September 27, 2026—equal to the five-year average. Nebraska was 11% harvested, below its own 15% average. Corn development was slightly ahead of average, while condition ratings were mixed.
How much corn has been harvested?
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimated that 18% of corn was harvested across 18 selected states as of September 27, matching the 2021–2025 average. That was up from 13% the previous week and slightly above the 17% reported for the comparable week in 2025. The selected states accounted for 93% of 2025 corn acreage, so the figure is a state-based estimate rather than a complete count of every U.S. field. NASS Crop Progress, September 28, 2026
How does Nebraska compare with other states?
Nebraska’s 11% harvest figure is below its five-year average; it is not the national figure. State progress varied considerably:
| State | Corn harvested | 2021–2025 average | Compared with average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | 11% | 15% | 4 percentage points behind |
| Iowa | 5% | 10% | 5 percentage points behind |
| Kansas | 48% | 40% | 8 percentage points ahead |
| Illinois | 26% | 17% | 9 percentage points ahead |
These state estimates show why the national pace does not describe local conditions equally. The comparisons are harvest progress against each state’s five-year average, not yield or final production estimates. USDA NASS state and crop tables
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What does USDA say about corn development and condition?
Development was slightly ahead of average
By September 27, 96% of corn was dented, compared with a five-year average of 95%; 72% was mature, compared with 71%. These measures describe crop stages, not the amount already harvested. USDA NASS Crop Progress
Condition ratings were mixed
NASS rated 44% of corn good and 13% excellent, for a combined 57% good or excellent. Another 26% was fair, while 11% was poor and 6% very poor, for a combined 17% poor or very poor. The distribution was unchanged from the previous week. In the comparable week of 2025, 49% was rated good and 17% excellent; 7% was poor and 3% very poor. USDA NASS Crop Progress
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What else was in the September 28 report?
Other selected-state crop measures also varied against their five-year averages:
| Crop measure | Current progress | Five-year average |
|---|---|---|
| Soybeans with leaves dropped | 75% | 75% |
| Soybeans harvested | 17% | 17% |
| Cotton harvested | 17% | 15% |
| Sorghum harvested | 29% | 31% |
| Rice harvested | 80% | 69% |
| Winter wheat planted | 32% | 36% |
Soybean condition was 47% good, 11% excellent, 29% fair, 9% poor and 4% very poor. As with corn, these figures are crop-progress and condition estimates, not estimates of final yield or production. USDA NASS Crop Progress
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How to interpret the weekly USDA estimates
NASS gathers weekly responses from about 3,600 survey respondents, who visually observe fields and subjectively estimate progress and condition. Progress means the share of a crop at or beyond a development stage; condition uses five categories from very poor to excellent. State summaries are weighted by county acreage estimates. National development and condition use average planted acreage over the previous three crop years, while national harvest progress uses average harvested acreage over those years. NASS says estimates may be revised the following week. NASS Crop Progress survey guide
The September 28 release was the latest listed in USDA’s ESMIS catalog as of October 4, 2026. The catalog scheduled the next release for October 5 at 4 p.m.; readers checking later should consult the catalog for the newest report. NASS says the Crop Progress report is released at 4 p.m. on the first business day of each week from April 1 through November 30. USDA Economics, Statistics, and Market Information System (ESMIS)
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