For many producers in the Midwest, the harvest has progressed rapidly this year.  A lack of rainfall, paired with high temperatures, punctuated the growing season, inducing crop stress and accelerating maturity with an increase in growing degree days.

One Minnesota organic producer reported their 2023 crop was in the bin weeks ago, earlier than usual. In addition to advancing crop maturity, recent drought has made field work straightforward with few interruptions. Most producers will drive hard to complete the harvest. It is not something farmers pace, generally keeping machines running until the harvest is complete. Extended dry weather does allow them to park the combine sometime after dark, rather than running all night to make use of a limited weather window.