NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV) — A fresh band of cold air and scattered moisture shaped harvest timing this week, tightening windows in northern states while stabilizing early winter wheat stands elsewhere. Input markets, freight conditions, and cattle movement continued to guide decisions as growers shift toward winter prep and early 2026 planning.
Great Plains
- Kansas/Nebraska: Corn and milo harvest is winding down, with shuttle loaders supporting firm basis while interior bids soften as on-farm space fills. Winter wheat emergence ranges from good on moisture-favored acres to uneven on lighter soils.
- Colorado/Oklahoma: Wheat grazing is underway in pockets with adequate tillering. Dry conditions helped late-season fieldwork, while demand for cattle placement remains steady.
Midwest
- Iowa/Illinois: Remaining corn and soybean acres are coming out between periodic showers. River freight is workable but continues to influence processor and elevator bids.
- Indiana/Ohio: Corn drying remains brisk with steady movement into local markets. Wheat planting is complete, with emergence tied closely to residue and soil compaction patterns.
Delta & South
- Arkansas/Mississippi/Louisiana: Soy and rice movement remains active with good logistics. Cotton gins are tapering off as late-season rains lowered quality in select fields.
- Southeast: Winter wheat seedings are nearly complete, and fertilizer interest is rising as growers gauge barge availability and pre-plant needs.
West & Southwest
- California/Arizona/New Mexico: Specialty and vegetable harvests are ahead of schedule, and dairies continue to monitor feed costs as by-products adjust.
- West Texas: Cotton modules are moving steadily to gins, with grades varying widely. Small-grain pasture conditions depend heavily on follow-up moisture.
Northwest & Northern Rockies
- Washington/Oregon/Idaho/Montana: Winter wheat stands range from fair to strong, depending on fall rainfall. Colder nights have narrowed fieldwork windows, and fertilizer dealers report healthy ammonia demand where soils are suitable.
- Northern Rockies: Cattle are shifting into winter lots, with hay inventories generally adequate.
Northeast
- New York/New England: Dairy margins benefit from softer feed prices and stable milk movement. Fieldwork is largely complete, and attention is turning toward equipment maintenance and early ordering for 2026 inputs.
Upper Midwest & Great Lakes
- Minnesota/Wisconsin/Michigan: Corn drying is steady with firm processor and river-adjacent basis. Winter wheat emergence is acceptable, and growers are planning early topdress and seed decisions for spring.
Far North & Territories
- North Dakota/South Dakota: Late corn is still coming out between cold fronts. Winter cattle placement is underway, and wheat stands are benefiting from timely moisture, though snow cover would provide ideal protection heading into deeper winter.
Related Stories
Falling livestock prices, combined with higher input costs, continue to squeeze farm profitability heading into 2026.
The federal government’s status is far from the only factor moving the markets on Friday. Two critical reports released today on producer inflation and the status of the U.S. cattle herd are also top of mind.
Record milk output looks strong today, but shrinking replacement numbers mean future supply adjustments could be faster and more volatile.
A rapidly intensifying winter storm is expected to develop into a bomb cyclone this weekend, affecting the Southeast, southern Virginia, and potentially parts of the mid‑Atlantic and New England.
Often overlooked, cotton wholesalers act as stabilizers during market stress, translating fragmented retail demand into workable production programs for mills and manufacturers.
Strong blending demand continues to support ethanol use even as production and exports fluctuate.
