Harvest activity expands

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Late summer harvests are under way for several major U.S. crops, including corn, soybeans, cotton and peanuts, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Monday.

The corn harvest is now 15 percent done compared to a long term average of 5 percent for this week of the year.

Despite the accelerated harvest, much of the crop is in either very poor, poor or fair shape with only 19 percent listed as in good shape and only 3 percent in excellent shape, the USDA said.

The USDA said 4 percent of the soybean harvest was done, compared to a long-term average of 2 percent. In the top 18 soybean producing states, 32 percent is listed in either good or excellent shape.

In addition, 4 percent of the cotton crop and 3 percent of the peanut crop has been harvested. Farmers report 41 percent of the cotton crop in good or excellent condition. They also report 76 percent of the peanut crop is in either good or excellent shape.

Eight percent of the sugar beet crop and 26 percent of the sorghum crop has been harvested, both figures in line with historic averages.

On rice farms, 52 percent of the crop is harvested, well ahead of the long-term average of 34 percent for this week of the year.