National Crop Progress and Agribusiness Update - Monday, October 6, 2025

Harvest Builds As Logistics And Input Costs Shape Fall Decisions

Crop Progress Graphic

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV)NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Here is a look across U.S. agriculture this week, highlighting harvest pace, crop conditions, market signals, and policy developments affecting farmers. Reports are organized regionally for a clear snapshot of the week’s agricultural landscape.

Great Plains

  • Texas — Cotton picking expands west and south; sorghum/late-corn wrap. Cow-calf marketing steady; wheat pasture prospects improve where moisture hits.
  • Oklahoma — Cotton progress varies by district; winter wheat planting pushes hard ahead of hoped-for moisture. Weaning and market timing in focus.
  • Kansas — Sorghum and late-corn finish; winter wheat seeding advances with subsoil moisture dictating stands. Cattle placements steady with fall runs.
  • Nebraska — Corn/soy harvest gathers speed; ethanol and feeders support bids. Backgrounders manage fall transitions and water availability.
  • South Dakota & North Dakota — Soy and corn harvest pace picks up; basis firmer away from river terminals. Calf runs increase; pasture quality varies after late-season dryness in some areas.

Midwest

  • Iowa — Soy leads harvest; corn follows as dryers fire up. Local crush and feeders compete while the river movement stays cautious.
  • Illinois — Beans and corn roll between damp spells; river basis soft on draft limits, interior bids firmer. Fall NH3 booking steady.
  • Indiana & Ohio — Combines hit more soy first; corn moisture easing. Wheat seeding follows bean harvest on fit soils; the processor vs. river basis bifurcates.
  • Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan — Soy/corn advance as temps allow; sugarbeets and dry beans (MI) active. Early freezes a watch item in northern tiers; dairy eyeing feed and energy.
  • Missouri — Soy/corn accelerate; river basis softer where tow restrictions bite; cow-calf weaning decisions shaped by mixed hay quality.
  • Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin — Soy first, corn close behind; lake-effect showers the wild card. Basis steady-to-firm away from river constraints; sugarbeet campaigns active (MI/WI).

Delta & South

  • Arkansas — Rice and soy expand with selective drying; river logistics push some grain to rail/interior users. Cotton picking is accelerating.
  • Louisiana & Mississippi — Cane harvest steps up (LA) and rice/beans move between showers; poultry steady. River tightness nudges truck/rail.
  • Alabama, Georgia, Florida — Peanuts and cotton advance; vegetables stage for holiday programs with tight labor/logistics (FL). Poultry supports in-state feed use.
  • Kentucky & Tennessee — Tobacco curing wraps; soy/cotton harvest builds. River vs. interior bids diverge; cattle receipts rise with fall runs.
  • North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia — Peanuts/cotton progress; sweet potatoes lift (NC). Poultry/hogs steady; small-grain seeding follows on fit ground.

West & Southwest

  • Arizona & New Mexico — Desert veg ramps up; dairies/feedlots monitor inputs as nights cool. Chile/pecan/hay work continues (NM).
  • Colorado, Utah, Nevada — Corn silage wraps; grain corn and beets advance (CO). Final alfalfa cuttings in UT/NV; winter water and feed planning front-and-center.
  • California — Sacramento Valley rice harvest advances; almonds/walnuts/pistachios move through hulling. Labor and freight remain primary constraints; coastal vegetables are available in shoulder-season windows.

Northwest & Northern Rockies

  • Washington & Oregon — Apples/pears in full swing; post-harvest wheat moving to export channels. Hay trade favors top dairy tests in eastern districts.
  • Idaho, Montana, Wyoming — Potatoes lift and storage fill (ID); beets advance. Winter wheat planting continues with variable moisture; calves ship with freight as the swing factor.

Northeast

  • New York & Pennsylvania — Corn silage essentially wrapped; grain harvest building. Dairy farmers adjust rations and bedding as nights cool; feed and energy costs are a primary focus.
  • New England (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI) — Apples and fall direct-market vegetables drive cash flow; greenhouses/tunnels prep for winter greens. Livestock owners line up hay and bedding.
  • New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland — Soy harvest expanding; small-grain seeding follows. Poultry integrators steady; litter and propane plans set for fall.

Far North & U.S. Territories

  • Alaska — Root crops and greenhouse produce wind down; storage quality and energy costs dominate winter prep.
  • Puerto Rico — Coffee harvest care and storm readiness in parallel; dairy margins hinge on feed and energy.
Related Stories
Todd Miller, CEO of Head Honchos, shares about his business offering to ease agricultural labor shortages.
Having a good read on fuel prices is a must during harvest, but one analyst says grain farmers should also be watching the crude oil markets.
Large carryover stocks continue to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain.
Record crops are increasing grain storage needs, prompting safety experts to remind producers of the risk of grain bin entrapment during harvest.
Support policies that keep U.S. biofuels at the table—marine demand could materially lift corn grind, crush margins, and rural jobs.
Industry leaders say $11 billion in new investments could turn the tide as dairy producers face shrinking margins and growing uncertainty.

Tony St. James joined the RFD-TV talent team in August 2024, bringing a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to RFD-TV and Rural Radio Channel 147 Sirius XM. In addition to his role as Market Specialist (collaborating with Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady to provide radio and TV audiences with the latest updates on ag commodity markets), he hosts “Rural America Live” and serves as talent for trade shows.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association President Craig Uden shares the latest on Nebraska wildfire conditions, discusses challenges facing producers, and outlines relief efforts underway.
Ranchers have a lot going on at the moment, but some ‘friendly’ news could be coming with this month’s Cattle-on-Feed Report from the USDA.
Energy risks could reshape global ag trade flows.
The ag trade deficit is narrowing, but export competition remains strong.
E15 policy could shape future corn demand outlook.
Agricultural groups warn that the deal could limit competition and raise transportation costs for farmers