NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Farmers across the country push toward the end of harvest with mixed progress, tightening margins, and shifting basis levels. Rail and barge costs, export signals, and late-season input purchases continue to influence decisions as producers weigh 2026 planning against dry pockets and uneven crop quality.
Great Plains
- Texas — Cotton harvest continues across the High Plains, with gins running long hours as late fields and regrowth slow progress in some areas. Dryland cotton again shows wide variability. Panhandle feeders are monitoring hay stocks and steady-to-firm feed costs. Wheat pasture is improving where moisture fell, though grazing remains uneven.
- Oklahoma — Cotton continues moving in the southwest; corn and soybean harvests near completion in central and northern counties. Wheat planting is mostly wrapped up, with stands dependent on spotty rains. Cow-calf producers are sorting calves and watching winter feed budgets.
- Kansas — Sorghum and late corn nearly wrapped. Wheat emergence varies widely, tied closely to the subsoil. Fall run solid; feedyard demand stable but cautious. Basis mixed as elevators balance storage.
- Nebraska — Corn and soybean harvest sprinted through favorable weather. Feedlots, ethanol plants, and local processors are maintaining competitive bids. Irrigation shutdowns and fall fertilizer applied where conditions allowed. Nebraska remains the top cattle-on-feed state, extending its lead over Texas and Kansas.
- South Dakota & North Dakota — Corn and soybeans progress quickly, with strong test weights in many areas. Basis firmer away from the river markets. Calf runs are active; dry late-season weather pressured some pastures ahead of winter.
Midwest
- Iowa — Corn drying remains heavy; soybean harvest largely complete. Crush plants are supportive; propane and fuel costs are weighing on margins. Fieldwork continues between short weather windows.
- Illinois — Corn and soybeans close out under periodic rain delays. Interior basis is stronger than river bids. Fertilizer uncertainty and labor gaps affect fall ammonia runs.
- Minnesota & Wisconsin — Storage demand is high as corn drying spikes. Ethanol margins holding firm. Dairy herds are facing higher feed costs as winter approaches.
- Michigan — Corn, soybeans, and sugarbeets move steadily; processing plants are competitive. Diesel and fertilizer pricing remain sticky.
Delta & South
- Arkansas — Rice mostly complete; soybeans advancing quickly. Barge freight on the lower Mississippi remains fluid. Phosphate and potash costs still elevated.
- Louisiana — Rice and soybeans winding down. Cattle, poultry, and feed markets are stable. Labor and electricity expenses remain top concerns.
- Mississippi — Harvest nearing completion; barge system functioning but at seasonal limits. Fuel and input costs remain elevated.
- Georgia & Alabama — Cotton defoliation and harvest move forward under favorable weather. Peanut digging is nearly finished. Pastures fair.
- Florida — Trucking costs remain high; vegetable and citrus systems are preparing for holiday distribution.
West & Southwest
- Arizona & New Mexico — Rangeland conditions mixed; hay and water management central to winter planning. Cow-calf and stocker operators are mindful of feed supplies.
- Colorado & Utah — Winter wheat planting is mostly complete; moisture is short across many districts. Diesel, fertilizer, and parts are in short supply.
- California — The nut, fruit, and vegetable sectors are managing labor costs and export uncertainty. Irrigated regions focused on diesel, water markets, and post-harvest cleanup.
- Nevada — Late hay shipments ongoing; water forecasts shaping 2026 discussions.
Northwest & Northern Rockies
- Washington & Oregon — Apple and pear shipments steady; container availability adequate. Diesel and labor remain high-impact costs.
- Idaho — Feedlots continue to secure corn; rail logistics are reliable. Input inflation is persistent.
- Montana — Calf shipments strong; winter wheat planted with moisture still limited. Hay supplies are generally adequate.
- Wyoming — Harvest completed; basis light but steady. Winter prep ongoing.
Northeast
- New York & Pennsylvania — Grain harvest active; dairy margins are tight with softening retail sales. Feed costs elevated.
- Maryland & Delaware — Soybean harvest finishing; barge and freight flows steady. Diesel surcharges are rising.
- New Jersey — Vegetable and nursery operations are slowing; labor and fuel remain cost pressures.
- New England (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI) — Fall vegetables and apples support cash flow; greenhouse prep underway.
Upper Midwest & Great Lakes
- Michigan — Dry beans, soybeans, and beets wrap up. Dairy is under margin strain.
- Wisconsin — Harvest nearly done; local basis firm into feed mills. Fuel and fertilizer quotes are steady.
- Ohio — Corn and soybeans closing out; inland basis supportive. River freight is modest under seasonal constraints.
Far North & Territories
- Alaska — Feed shipments continue ahead of winter; freight bottlenecks are expensive; energy storage underway.
- U.S. Territories — Specialty crops and feed shipments continue under elevated freight costs.
Related Stories
The USDA noted that peanut edible utilization season-to-date is down 3% on the year, despite overall stocks increasing.
We caught up with Karen Braun, Chief Market Analyst at Zaner Ag Hedge, at the Women in Agribusiness to discuss the data behind commodity trading.
Weston Brown joined us on Monday in the RFD-TV Studios in Nashville to share how he is preparing for the upcoming National FFA Convention & Expo.
Missouri Director of Agriculture Chris Chinn joined us Monday to share highlights from Secretary Brooke Rollins’ visit and her perspective on USDA’s new initiatives.
A booming butterfat market is good for some dairy products but threatens efficiency and margins for cheesemakers unless protein levels catch up
U.S. Farmers Navigate Harvest Pace, Costs, Policy Shifts
Smaller flocks and lower lay rates are pressuring table egg supplies, even as hatchery activity edges higher.
Smaller slaughter numbers across beef and pork signal tighter supplies into late 2025, while record-low veal production highlights ongoing structural changes in the sector.
Chad Rezniek with the Colorado AgrAbility Project joined us as part of National Farm Safety and Health Week to discuss the growing need for behavioral health support in rural communities.
