Business  Markets

Mixed Weather Shapes U.S. Crop Outlook as Harvest Begins

Some southern areas are running ahead of schedule as attention turns to conditions farther north.

August 18, 2026 05:27 PM • 
Neal Burnette-Irwin, David Nelson

AMARILLO, Texas (RFD News) — Mixed weather patterns are influencing U.S. crop conditions as harvest gets underway in parts of the South.

Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joined us on Tuesday’s Market Day Report to discuss his outlook.

In his conversation with RFD News, Williamson said USDA’s latest report showed crop conditions slipping slightly, while early results from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour were also drawing attention.

He said harvest around Memphis and farther south is running at least 10 days early in some areas. Corn, rice and soybean harvest is underway, with some record corn yields reported.

Farther north, Williamson is watching areas from Nebraska to Ohio where heavy rainfall could have caused crop damage.

Williamson also pointed to global market factors, including limited grain movement out of the Black Sea amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict and soybean oil use in the renewable fuels sector.

Looking ahead, he is also watching for the possibility of an early frost.

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Neal Burnette-Irwin
Neal Burnette-Irwin
Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


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