In one of USDA’s final crop progress reports of 2021, out Monday afternoon and covering the week through November 21, the agency showed both corn and soybean harvests nearly complete, while winter wheat quality ratings took a two-point hit.

Corn harvest progress moved from 91% complete a week ago up to 95% through Sunday. Analysts were expecting to see that number at 96%. This year’s pace is a bit behind 2020’s pace of 97% but still three points ahead of the prior five-yar average of 92%. USDA marked North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas at 100% complete, while Ohio (84%) and Michigan (85%) still have the farthest to go.

Soybean harvest progress was also at 95% completion through November 21, improving from 92% a week ago. Analysts expected that number to come in at 96%. This year’s harvest is trending a bit slower than both 2020’s pace of 98% and the prior five-year average of 96%.

Other row crop harvests of note include:

The 2021/22 winter wheat crop is now nearly all planted, moving from 94% completion a week ago up to 96% through Sunday. 2020’s pace of 98% was slightly faster, as was the prior five-year average of 97%. Six of the top 18 production states are considered 100% complete, with California (70%) still needing to make the most headway at this time. Eighty-six percent of the crop is emerged, versus the prior five-year average of 87%.

Quality ratings took an unexpected drop. Analysts were expecting to see ratings hold steady from a week ago, but USDA lowered them by two points, with 44% now in good-to-excellent condition. Another 34% is rated fair (unchanged from a week ago), with the remaining 22% rated poor or very poor (up two points from last week).

Click here to read today’s USDA crop progress report for more information on the aforementioned crops, along with a look at topsoil and subsoil moisture levels.