RFD NEWS Weekly Crop Progress, Livestock Production & Agribusiness Recap — Monday, Feb. 16, 2026

Winter Weather Shapes Markets and Early Fieldwork Nationwide

Crop Progress Graphic

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Cold weather dominated most production regions this week, slowing transportation and livestock movement while shaping feed demand and energy costs. In southern areas, brief warm windows allowed limited fieldwork, while drought in the West and Plains moisture patterns remain key planting considerations.

GREAT PLAINS

  • Texas — Warmer stretches allowed fertilizer application in southern and central areas. Wheat ranges from stressed west to improving east with recent moisture.
  • Oklahoma — Pastures remain dormant under cold conditions. Wheat condition stabilized after light precipitation.
  • Kansas — Snow cover protected winter wheat but delayed hauling. Feed demand increased due to limited grazing.
  • Nebraska — Livestock feeding intensified during cold snaps. Grain movement steady but weather-interrupted.
  • South Dakota — Deep frost slowed manure hauling. Cattle stress increased supplemental feeding.
  • North Dakota — Limited activity beyond livestock care. Producers monitoring snowpack moisture potential.

MIDWEST

  • Iowa — Strong corn movement during brief warm periods. High propane demand for livestock facilities.
  • Illinois — River logistics uneven due to ice movement. Basis stable with steady processor demand.
  • Indiana — Feed demand strong; minimal fieldwork. Some ammonia prep underway in southern counties.
  • Ohio — Wet soils remain frozen; hauling sporadic. Poultry operations managing ventilation costs.
  • Missouri — Southern counties began early fertilizer staging. Northern areas remain weather-limited.

DELTA & SOUTH

  • Arkansas — Rice and soybean planning underway. Limited tillage during short dry windows.
  • Louisiana — Sugarcane harvest finishing. Growers preparing rice ground where conditions allow.
  • Mississippi — Field prep beginning in Delta on higher ground. Cotton acreage discussions ongoing.
  • Alabama — Pastures greening slowly in south. Poultry energy costs elevated during cold nights.
  • Georgia — Peanut and cotton planning active. Vegetable growers planting under covers.
  • Florida — Vegetable harvest active. Citrus irrigation ongoing amid variable temperatures.
  • Tennessee — Fertilizer deliveries increasing. Wheat stable under protective moisture.

WEST & SOUTHWEST

  • New Mexico — Limited irrigation activity; producers watching reservoir levels. Feedlots adjusting rations for cold.
  • Arizona — Vegetable harvest steady. Alfalfa winter growth minimal.
  • California — Orchard pruning active between storms. Water allocations still uncertain.
  • Nevada — Ranchers feeding hay as ranges dormant. Snowpack favorable in mountains.

NORTHWEST & NORTHERN ROCKIES

  • Washington — Wheat dormant under cold temperatures. Apple storage shipments steady.
  • Oregon — Pasture growth slow; livestock feeding heavy. Some nursery work progressing.
  • Idaho — Potato movement steady. Snowpack supports irrigation outlook.
  • Montana — Cattle sheltered during extreme cold. No field activity.
  • Wyoming — Feeding conditions difficult with wind chills. Hay demand strong.

NORTHEAST

  • Pennsylvania — Dairy producers managing high feed usage. Maple tapping preparations beginning.
  • New York — Snow cover heavy in upstate regions. Grain hauling intermittent.
  • Vermont — Milk production stable; energy costs elevated.
  • Maine — Potato storage conditions good. Limited outdoor work.

UPPER MIDWEST & GREAT LAKES

  • Minnesota — Grain hauling resumed briefly midweek. Strong ethanol plant demand.
  • Wisconsin — Dairy operations increased feed rations. Manure hauling paused during freezes.
  • Michigan — Fruit growers pruning orchards. Greenhouse production active.

FAR NORTH & U.S. TERRITORIES

  • Alaska — Livestock care only activity. Feed shipments steady.
  • Hawaii — Vegetable and specialty crop harvest ongoing. Favorable growing conditions statewide.
Related Stories
The Fertilizer Research Act, reintroduced by Sens. Grassley, Ernst, and Baldwin, would direct the USDA to study and publish public reports on competition and pricing trends in the fertilizer market.
Allowing year-round sales of E15 nationally could deliver billions in economic gains, according to a new study from the Renewable Fuels Association and National Corn Growers Association.
Producers may need to prepare for margin pressure in livestock feeding, while dairy farmers could benefit from stronger product demand.
RFD-TV Markets Expert Tony St. James breaks down the state of agribusiness and harvest progress across the U.S. for the week of Monday, September 15, 2025.
American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland joins us to share his reaction to September’s WASDE and discuss the trade uncertainty between China and his industry.
Harvested acres are estimated at 90.0 million, making this year’s corn crop one of the largest since the 1930s.
U.S. producers are holding off on equipment investments amid financial pressure, market uncertainty, a rising demand for diesel, and growing desperation for trade wins.
The September WASDE report comes out on Friday at Noon ET. As always, we’ll bring you those numbers right here on Market Day Report along with our expert
Let’s take a look at harvest progress as of early September 2025, across all 50 U.S. States, prepared by Market Day Report anchor and RFD-TV Markets Expert Tony St. James.

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:

Tight cattle supplies continue to drive lower beef output despite heavier weights.
Weaker U.S. dairy prices come as value-added exports expand and ingredient inventories tighten, creating mixed market signals for producers.
WTO gauges point to agricultural raw materials trade growing more slowly than overall goods, reinforcing the need to manage export risk and monitor policy shifts closely.
Improved export prospects and higher crop prices strengthened future expectations despite continued caution about spending.
China’s renewed purchases signal improving sorghum demand at a time when export markets are otherwise uneven. Meanwhile, agriculture groups across the U.S, Canada, and Mexico want to protect close trade relations.
The Environmental Protection Agency confirms that new single-fluorinated pesticides are not PFAS and remain fully compliant with current safety standards.
Agriculture Shows
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.
Champions of Rural America is a half-hour dive into the legislative priorities for Rural America. Join us as we interview members of the Congressional Western Caucus to learn about efforts in Washington to preserve agriculture and tackles the most important topics in the ag industry on Champions of Rural America!
Featuring members of Congress, federal and state officials, ag and food leaders, farmers, and roundtable panelists for debates and discussions.