Source:  Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 12/8/09

U.S. corn harvest progressed by 9 percentage points in the week ended Dec. 6 from a week ago in the 18 states that produce 94 percent of the crop, according to USDA's latest weekly crop progress report.

Corn harvest stood at 88 percent complete compared to 79 percent a week ago. It is so unusual for corn harvest to stretch into December that USDA had no year ago or five-year average harvest progress comparisons.

Wet weather has plagued harvest in parts of the Midwest and Great Plains. North Dakota corn harvest stood at just 53 percent on Dec. 6, while South Dakota stood at 73 percent, Wisconsin at 77 percent and Illinois at 85 percent.

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