France maize crop progress: grain moisture down to 50%
France maize crop progress: grain moisture down to 50% stood at 100 % of area on Oct 11, 2026, according to FranceAgriMer – Céré'Obs, état des cultures de maïs grain (hebdomadaire). It is one of the indicators in the Crop conditions (Céré'Obs) table (Value · Daily), with a complete series running from Jan 11, 2015 to Oct 11, 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Crop conditions (Céré'Obs) table
| Indicator | 11-10-2026 | 04-10-2026 | 27-09-2026 | 20-09-2026 | 13-09-2026 | 06-09-2026 | 30-08-2026 | 23-08-2026 | 16-08-2026 | 09-08-2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Progress of the crop, share of the area reached | |||||||||||
| Grain moisture down to 50 per cent | 100 | 100 | 99.36 | 98.65 | 97.88 | 94.42 | 84.2 | 69.23 | 49.46 | 25.15 | |
| Harvest | 92.14 | 84.23 | 67.32 | 44.99 | 26.72 | 9.43 | 2.66 | 0.32 | 0 | 0 |
Understanding france maize crop progress: grain moisture down to 50%
This metric tracks the share of the maize cultivation area where grain moisture content has decreased to fifty per cent, marking the onset of the maturation phase. It separates the drying down period from earlier vegetative and reproductive stages captured in preceding survey rows. The scope includes all monitored parcels where kernel dry matter accumulation is well advanced and moisture levels cross this specific physiological threshold, excluding fields still in milk or early dent stages. This indicator serves as a bridge toward the final harvest period.
Seasonality ensures this series rises during late summer and early autumn as plants naturally dry out or respond to declining temperatures and sunlight. Period-on-period evaluation against historical weekly profiles helps determine whether dry-down is progressing normally or being hampered by persistent humidity or rainfall. Revisions to early estimates occur as field inspectors sample moisture levels across varied terrain. Analysts should avoid equating this moisture milestone with immediate harvest readiness, as combining machinery operations requires significantly lower moisture percentages.
Frequently asked questions
- What physiological change does this moisture threshold signify?
- It indicates that grain filling is largely complete and the kernels are steadily losing water content on their way to harvest maturity.
- Does this series measure the weight of the grain?
- No, it tracks moisture percentage rather than absolute biomass or yield volume.
- Why might grain moisture remain high late in the season?
- Persistent autumn rainfall, high humidity, or cool overcast weather can delay the natural drying process.