RFD NEWS Weekly Crop Progress and Livestock Production Regional Update

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Wheat harvest is underway in the Southern Plains and South, but earlier drought and freeze damage are already showing in hard red winter wheat yields and abandonment concerns. Rain has offered relief in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and the Southeast, while slowing harvest and fieldwork in several areas.

Across cattle country, dry pasture and short soil moisture remain central concerns as producers manage grazing, hay needs, and livestock water going into summer.

Great Plains

Texas: Hard red winter wheat harvest advanced between rain events, with the crop 14 percent harvested. Early wheat quality reflects earlier drought and freeze damage, while improved rainfall may help pasture in some areas without reversing the damage already set in the wheat crop. Cotton and sorghum planting continued, but livestock producers still face uneven grazing conditions.
Oklahoma: Wheat harvest reached 7 percent, but rain and humidity slowed combines in some areas. The crop entered harvest after serious drought stress, and weak pasture conditions continue to keep cattle forage and summer grazing needs in focus.
Kansas: Wheat is moving toward harvest with much of its yield potential already reduced by drought. Crop tour findings and current conditions point to greater abandonment and wide yield differences, while pasture recovery depends on additional timely rain for cattle operations.
Nebraska: Corn and soybean planting moved quickly, but winter wheat and pasture remain under severe dryness pressure. Higher-than-normal wheat abandonment is expected in portions of the state, and dry forage conditions remain a concern for cattle producers already dealing with spring pasture damage in some areas.
Colorado: Winter wheat conditions remain highly variable, with later fields benefiting more from recent moisture than earlier stressed acres. Dry pasture and limited soil moisture continue to pressure grazing and livestock water planning.
South Dakota: Spring planting has advanced, and recent rain provided some benefit to emerging crops. Winter wheat remains in better shape than farther south and west, but dry pasture conditions continue to limit forage confidence for livestock producers.

Midwest

Illinois: Corn and soybean planting advanced steadily, and winter wheat remains in comparatively good condition. Recent moisture supports wheat fill and pasture growth, although continued humid conditions could raise disease concerns in wheat as harvest approaches.
Iowa: Corn and soybean planting moved close to completion with generally adequate moisture. Pasture conditions are supporting livestock better than in the Plains, though producers will watch for excessive rain that could interrupt haymaking and fieldwork.
Missouri: Soybean planting moved ahead, and winter wheat continues toward harvest with favorable potential in many areas. Rain is helping pasture and filling wheat, but repeated moisture may increase disease concerns or slow early harvest activity.
Indiana: Spring planting progressed while wheat remained in generally favorable condition. Moisture is supporting crop development and forage growth, though wet fields may begin limiting timely crop protection and hay work.
Ohio: Rain supported winter wheat and pasture conditions, but slowed corn and soybean planting compared with western portions of the Corn Belt. Livestock producers generally have improved forage prospects, while grain farmers need field access for remaining planting and crop care.

Delta & South

Arkansas: Soft red winter wheat harvest expanded to 5 percent, while rice and soybean planting are nearly complete. Rain supported crop development but slowed fieldwork, and continued wetness could create wheat disease and harvest-quality concerns.
Louisiana: Rice planting is complete and soybean planting is nearly finished, but wet conditions restricted field activity. Pasture conditions remain supportive for livestock in many areas, while crop producers need drying conditions for management work.
Mississippi: Rice and soybean planting advanced well ahead, while cotton planting continued through wet periods. Rain improves moisture for pasture and summer crops, but repeated delays may compress remaining planting and fieldwork windows.
Tennessee: Corn planting is nearly complete, with soybeans and cotton moving quickly. Rain supported pastures and wheat development, although humid conditions increase concern for wheat disease as harvest moves closer.
Alabama: Soft red winter wheat harvest reached 15 percent, making it one of the early harvest leaders. Rain may slow combines and create quality concerns if it persists, although improved pasture moisture benefits livestock and forage producers.
Georgia: Rain brought needed relief to drought-stressed areas, but pasture conditions remain weak after prolonged dryness. Cotton and peanut planting continued, while cattle producers still need sustained moisture to rebuild forage and water conditions.
Florida: Rain eased some dryness, but livestock pasture remained stressed after a difficult dry season. Peanut planting progressed, while cattle producers continue watching forage availability and water supply.
Kentucky: Winter wheat is nearing early June harvest, but recent rain may delay maturation and field access. Moisture is helping pasture growth, while livestock producers watch hay timing and forage quality.
North Carolina: Soft red winter wheat harvest began, with 1 percent reported harvested. Drought pressure has reduced wheat and pasture potential in portions of the state, although recent rain may support forage recovery if it continues.
South Carolina: Dry conditions remain a larger concern than planting pace, with pasture and soil moisture still under pressure. Cotton and peanut producers need workable moisture, while cattle producers continue managing reduced forage potential.
Virginia: Pasture and range conditions remain among the weakest in the region, reflecting continuing dryness. Rainfall improvement is needed for livestock forage and hay production, while wheat producers watch crop quality as harvest approaches.

West & Southwest

California: Crop and pasture conditions remain generally favorable, with cotton planting nearly finished and rice planting advancing. Livestock forage is in stronger shape than much of the Southwest, although summer irrigation demand remains an important watch point.
Arizona: Cotton planting is nearing completion, but pasture conditions remain poor in dry areas. Livestock producers continue facing forage and water concerns as temperatures rise and summer demand builds.
New Mexico: Dryness remains the dominant agricultural concern, with pasture and soil moisture in serious condition. Ranchers continue to face limited grazing potential, higher feed risk and continued pressure on livestock water resources.
Utah: Range and pasture remain under stress from limited moisture. The livestock outlook will depend heavily on summer rainfall and irrigation availability as grazing demand increases.
Nevada: Pasture conditions remain mixed, with dryness limiting forage in some areas. Cattle and hay producers continue watching water availability and summer heat as the season advances.

Northwest & Northern Rockies

Idaho: Soft white wheat generally remains promising, but weather-related damage is developing in southern Idaho and stripe rust is being monitored. Spring wheat planting is essentially complete, while pasture conditions remain supportive in much of the state.
Washington: Soft white wheat development remains ahead of normal with generally favorable crop conditions. Spring wheat planting is essentially complete, and pasture conditions remain adequate for livestock in many areas.
Oregon: Soft white winter wheat remains generally favorable, with development well ahead of normal. Pasture conditions are mostly supportive, though drier areas need continued moisture to maintain forage and crop potential.
Montana: Spring wheat and durum planting progressed, but warm, dry weather continues to limit establishment and pasture potential. Crops and livestock ranges need moisture soon, with dry conditions expanding across important production areas.

Northeast

Pennsylvania: Moisture generally supported pasture and forage growth, while wet conditions slowed some spring planting. Livestock producers have improved grazing prospects, but field access remains important for crop and hay work.
New York: Pasture conditions remain favorable with ample moisture for forage growth. Wet ground may slow planting and hay preparation, but livestock producers enter early summer with better grazing conditions than drought-affected regions.
Vermont: Pasture conditions remain strong, supported by adequate-to-surplus moisture. Dairy and livestock farms benefit from forage growth, although overly wet fields may delay hay harvest timing.
Maryland: Moisture conditions remain uneven, with some crop and pasture areas still dealing with dryness despite recent rain. Wheat and forage producers need additional steady moisture without extended wet conditions near harvest.
Delaware: Dryness continues to pressure pasture and planted crops in portions of the state. Livestock and forage producers remain focused on moisture recovery, while wheat approaches harvest under variable conditions.

Upper Midwest & Great Lakes

Minnesota: Corn, soybeans, and spring wheat planting advanced, with recent moisture helping emerging crops. Pastures are generally holding, supporting livestock producers while planting moves toward completion.
Wisconsin: Corn and soybean planting continued with mostly adequate moisture. Pasture and forage conditions remain supportive for dairy and livestock operations, although wet fields could slow hay cutting and remaining fieldwork.
Michigan: Planting progress lagged in portions of the Corn Belt, but winter wheat and pastures remain in generally favorable condition. Continued workable weather is needed for row-crop planting while forage supplies develop.
North Dakota: Spring wheat, barley, and row-crop planting advanced, and recent rain helped much of the state. Western areas, including portions of durum country, missed more of the moisture and still need rain for crop establishment and pasture growth.

Far North, Hawaii & U.S. Territories

Alaska: National weekly crop tables do not provide detailed Alaska crop or pasture estimates at this point in the season. Livestock and forage producers continue watching spring growth, feed availability and field access as seasonal work expands.
Hawaii: Weekly national crop tables do not provide detailed Hawaii production conditions for this reporting period. Livestock forage and specialty crops remain tied closely to localized rainfall and water availability.
Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories: Weekly national crop tables do not provide detailed territory-level conditions for this reporting period. Moisture availability, specialty crop development and livestock forage remain the primary agricultural concerns to monitor.