#Harvest25: Bumper Corn Harvest Hits 18% Completion Nationwide

Dave Kestel, a farmer from Will County and member of the Illinois Farm Bureau, joins us to share a boots-on-the-ground update on the 2025 corn harvest.

WILL COUNTY, Ill. (RFD-TV)Corn harvest is well underway across the U.S., with 18 percent of the nation’s crop now in the bin—just one point shy of the five-year average. In Illinois, farmers are pushing forward with harvesting through favorable weather, hoping to capitalize on strong early yields despite ongoing cost pressures.

Dave Kestel, a farmer from Will County and member of the Illinois Farm Bureau, joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to share a boots-on-the-ground update.

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Kestel discussed the progress of his own operation and compared this year’s progress to previous harvest seasons. He also shared what he’s hearing from other producers in the region, highlighting both successes and challenges so far.

Among the concerns are high input costs, lower commodity prices, and the potential for storage capacity and shipping issues as larger-than-expected yields are harvested.

Kestel wrapped up by giving viewers a look at his family’s farm and the traditions that keep them going through another busy harvest season.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

China is not one of our top suppliers of cooking oil, according to USDA ERS data, but does export a lot of used cooking oil to the U.S. for biofuel production.
Industry leaders say $11 billion in new investments could turn the tide as dairy producers face shrinking margins and growing uncertainty.
Export Inspections In Bushels Show Mixed Momentum Patterns
Expect firmer shop prices, leaner inventories, and selective hiring in ag-adjacent businesses — plan parts, service, and financing needs earlier.
FFA students in New York City are transforming urban spaces into working farms while gaining hands-on skills that connect city life with the roots of agriculture.
Alan Bjerga with the National Milk Producers Federation joins us to discuss the idea behind the campaign and why accurate labeling on plant-based beverages matters to both consumers and dairy producers.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.