WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD-TV) — Corn and soybean harvest is moving forward across farm country, but both crops remain behind their historical pace.
USDA’s latest Crop Progress report shows 44 percent of the corn crop is now harvested, eight percentage points behind the five-year average and six points behind last week’s report. Fifty-six percent of the crop is rated in the top category.
Soybean harvest has reached 64 percent, one percentage point behind the five-year average.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities said harvest progress varies across the country, with dry conditions persisting in the southern Delta and recent rains slowing fieldwork in parts of the western Corn Belt.
Strong Yields Amid Uneven Harvest Progress
In his interview with RFD-TV, Williamson said Iowa is a major reason the national corn harvest remains behind schedule. The state was 26 percent harvested, compared with its five-year average of 50 percent.
However, he expects progress to accelerate as combines continue running across the Corn Belt.
“We are in the guts of harvest right now,” Williamson said. “A lot of grain is moving, combines are running wide open.”
Yields have also been encouraging in parts of the Memphis region. Williamson shared an example of a western Tennessee farmer harvesting 210 bushels of corn per acre on dryland.
“We’re still seeing those big yields down here,” Williamson said.
He described production across much of the Delta as strong, although some southern areas have not reached record levels.
Corn Supply Weighs on Markets
USDA’s October WASDE report raised its projected corn yield to 181.2 bushels per acre, above expectations and adding to concerns about available supply.
Williamson said the market is still working through the larger crop outlook, which has put pressure on prices.
He also pointed to potential export opportunities as European production concerns develop. Williamson said France’s corn crop was estimated at 7.2 million metric tons, nearly 50 percent below the previous year’s level.
He expects those production challenges could create additional demand for U.S. corn as European buyers look to secure supplies.
Williamson also noted that USDA reported a sale of 612,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans to China that morning.
Fuel and Fertilizer Costs Remain Farmers’ Top Concerns
Williamson said high fuel costs continue to weigh on farm profitability, even as crude oil prices move lower.
He also highlighted the potential impact of disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz on fertilizer supplies.
Williamson said approximately 21 million metric tons of urea moved through the strait in 2024, representing about 43 percent of global urea exports that year.
He said the international fertilizer market remains an important consideration as Brazil begins planting and U.S. producers prepare for the next growing season.
Williamson also pointed to the newly announced $8 billion Harvest Fuel Relief program as a development for farmers dealing with elevated diesel costs.
Mississippi River Levels and Storage Plans
As of Tuesday morning, Williamson said the Mississippi River near Memphis was at a gauge reading of approximately 5.6 feet and was projected to fall to 1.9 feet by October 24.
He said the river was not creating an immediate shipping problem, although the forecast decline is worth monitoring.
Despite uneven harvest progress and market pressure, Williamson said current field conditions in the southern region are allowing substantial work as farmers prepare for 2027.
