Across the Corn Belt, cool, showery weather is slowing upper Midwestern harvest activities, following several weeks of rapid progress. On October 17, Minnesota led the nation—among major production states—in soybean harvest completion (91%, versus the 5-year average of 64%), followed by South Dakota (86% harvested, versus 57% on average). Across the remainder of the Corn Belt, mild, dry weather is promoting summer crop harvesting and winter wheat planting.
On the Plains, another round of drought-easing precipitation is falling across South Dakota and portions of neighboring states.
