RFD-TV State Crop Progress and Livestock Production Weekly Update — Monday, August 10, 2026

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Dry conditions remain the biggest dividing line across U.S. agriculture, affecting not only row crops but grazing, hay supplies, livestock water and late-summer fieldwork.

Conditions are especially difficult through parts of the Plains, Rockies and Northwest, while several eastern and southern states have benefited from better moisture. Specialty-crop harvests, small grains, forage production and livestock management are increasingly important as summer moves toward harvest.

Great Plains

• Kansas: Dryness continues to pressure both crop and livestock operations, with more than half of topsoil moisture short or very short. Pasture conditions are showing stress, making late-summer forage and hay availability increasingly important for cattle producers, while corn, soybeans and sorghum continue through reproductive development. USDA Market News continues to track direct hay movement across the state as livestock operators assess feed needs.
• Nebraska: Moisture shortages remain widespread, with roughly seven in 10 acres of topsoil rated short or very short and pasture conditions among the weakest in the central Plains. Livestock producers are watching grass and hay supplies closely while corn and soybeans move through critical grain-fill stages. Dry weather is also allowing small-grain and forage work to advance where crops are ready.
• North Dakota: Dry soils are affecting spring wheat, row crops, pasture and forage production across much of the state. Spring wheat harvest is approaching while cattle operators face declining pasture quality in several areas. The state also has expanded canola acreage this year, giving oilseed harvest prospects added importance alongside wheat and livestock conditions.
• South Dakota: Producers are balancing spring wheat harvest with deteriorating moisture supplies for corn, soybeans, grazing and hay. Nearly two-thirds of topsoil moisture was short or very short, increasing concerns about late-summer pasture recovery and forage production. Cattle operators will need timely rain to preserve grazing capacity heading toward fall.
• Oklahoma: Dry conditions continue to challenge pasture, hay and summer crops. Cotton remains particularly stressed, while peanuts are performing better and cattle producers are watching forage supplies as summer heat continues. Hay markets remain an important indicator of whether ranchers can replace declining pasture with purchased feed.
• Texas: Moisture remains a major issue from row-crop country into cattle and grazing regions, with more than 70 percent of topsoil rated short or very short. Cotton and sorghum are under pressure, while pasture deterioration increases demand for hay and supplemental feed. Texas remains one of the key states covered by USDA’s direct hay market reporting, making forage price movement increasingly important to ranchers.

Midwest

• Illinois: Soil moisture remains comparatively favorable, supporting corn, soybeans, pasture and forage production. Farmers are moving deeper into reproductive development while hay work continues between periods of summer rainfall. Specialty production also remains active, including watermelon movement from southeastern Illinois as harvest progresses.
• Indiana: Corn and soybean conditions remain generally favorable, while pasture and hay production have benefited from better moisture than much of the Plains. Farmers are also moving specialty crops, including watermelons from southwestern Indiana, giving diversified operations another active summer market beyond grain.
• Iowa: Corn and soybean ratings remain among the strongest in the country, but pockets of dryness are expanding. Livestock producers are watching pasture and hay conditions because Iowa’s large cattle and hog sectors depend heavily on reliable feed supplies. USDA continues publishing direct hay-market information for the state as summer forage moves into storage.
• Missouri: Crop and pasture conditions remain comparatively strong, with adequate moisture supporting corn, soybeans, cattle grazing and hay production. Watermelon movement continues from southeast Missouri, where supplies have become light as the season advances. Rainfall expected across portions of the state could help maintain forage and late-season crop potential.
• Ohio: Corn and soybean development remains generally favorable, but localized dryness is increasing the need for rain. Pasture and hay conditions remain important for dairy and livestock operations as producers work through summer forage harvest. Ohio is also entering the period when vegetable and fruit harvest activity becomes increasingly important alongside field crops.

Delta & South

• Arkansas: Dryness is increasing pressure on soybeans, cotton, rice, pasture and hay production. Rice is moving toward harvest while livestock producers need moisture to preserve grazing and forage supplies. The state’s sharply reduced rice acreage this year also means yield performance will carry added weight for growers and mills.
• Louisiana: Rice harvest is already well underway, making field access and grain quality major concerns. Soybeans and livestock forage are also dealing with pockets of dryness, while sugarcane and other southern crops continue through summer development. Producers will be balancing harvest activity with the need for rainfall on later-season crops and pasture.
• Mississippi: Soybeans remain relatively strong, but cotton and rice conditions are more mixed as moisture shortages expand. Hay and pasture availability are increasingly important for cattle operations. Mississippi rice acreage is historically low this year, increasing the importance of performance on the acres that remain.
• Tennessee: Much of the state has maintained adequate soil moisture, supporting corn, soybeans, pasture and forage. However, drought impacts have developed in some areas, with reports of low hay yields, drying farm ponds and producers hauling water. Those localized livestock impacts make rainfall distribution as important as statewide crop ratings.
• Kentucky: Moisture has generally supported corn, soybeans, hay and grazing, leaving livestock producers in better shape than much of the western cattle country. Hay harvest and storage remain priorities between rain events. USDA’s direct hay reporting also provides a current read on forage markets as producers prepare for fall and winter feeding.
• Alabama: Adequate moisture is supporting cotton, peanuts, pasture and hay production across much of the state. Cattle producers generally have better grazing conditions than producers farther west, while peanut and cotton growers continue scouting through reproductive stages. Alabama is also covered by USDA direct hay-market reporting.
• Georgia: Dryness remains a concern for peanuts, cotton, pasture and hay, especially where summer rainfall has been inconsistent. Georgia remains the nation’s dominant peanut-producing state, making moisture through pod development especially important. Vegetable, fruit and other specialty-crop movement also remains an important part of the state’s summer agricultural economy.
• Florida: Moisture conditions remain generally favorable for pasture and peanut production, supporting cattle grazing in many areas. Florida agriculture is also deep into its summer specialty-crop cycle, with tropical fruit, vegetables and nursery production operating alongside cattle and row crops. Additional rainfall is forecast across portions of central and southern Florida.
• North Carolina: Recent moisture has improved conditions considerably, but corn damage from earlier stress remains evident. Soybeans, cotton and peanuts are performing better, while livestock operators benefit from improved pasture and hay growth. Tobacco, vegetables and other specialty crops remain active as producers move through summer harvest and management.
• South Carolina: Dryness continues to weigh on cotton, peanuts, pasture and forage. Livestock operators are seeing weaker grazing conditions than producers in some neighboring states, increasing the importance of hay inventories and late-summer rainfall. Specialty crops continue moving as summer harvest advances.
• Virginia: Pastures are showing substantial moisture stress in parts of the state, creating additional pressure on cattle and hay operations. Cotton and peanuts are also working through reproductive stages under uneven moisture. Rain forecast along portions of the Appalachians could provide some relief to forage and late-season crops.

West & Southwest

• Arizona: Extreme heat and dry soils continue to challenge rangeland and livestock operations, even while irrigated cotton remains in strong condition. Pasture quality is poor across much of the state, increasing reliance on purchased hay and supplemental feed. Monsoon rainfall remains critical for grazing recovery, with additional moisture possible in southeastern Arizona.
• California: Irrigation continues to support cotton, rice and a wide range of specialty crops despite summer heat. Fruit, vegetable and melon movement remains active, with California products appearing throughout USDA specialty-crop market reporting. Hay production and prices also remain important for the state’s large dairy sector.
• Colorado: Drought pressure is severe, with very poor soil-moisture and pasture ratings across much of the state. Cattle and sheep producers face shrinking grazing and forage supplies, while corn and sorghum are also suffering. Direct hay-market conditions are increasingly important as livestock operations evaluate feed needs.
• Nevada: Dry conditions remain the central concern for livestock and forage operations. Pasture quality is limited, making irrigated hay production especially important to cattle and sheep producers. Water availability and feed costs will remain key issues through late summer.
• New Mexico: Rangeland conditions remain exceptionally difficult, with most topsoil moisture short or very short and a large share of pasture in poor condition. Cattle producers are increasingly dependent on hay, supplemental feed and reliable livestock water. Cotton acreage is also historically low this season, reflecting longer-term changes in irrigated agriculture.
• Utah: Dry soils and weak pasture conditions are pressuring cattle, sheep and hay operations. Irrigated forage remains crucial where rangeland cannot meet livestock needs. Producers are watching both water supplies and hay markets as fall feeding decisions approach.

Northwest & Northern Rockies

• Idaho: Small-grain harvest is beginning to accelerate while dryness continues across much of the state. Barley and spring wheat remain major field priorities, but hay production is equally important for Idaho’s dairy and cattle sectors. Potato and other specialty-crop operations are also moving toward their late-summer harvest period.
• Montana: Dry soils are affecting spring wheat, hay, pasture and livestock operations. Forage supplies are tightening in some areas, increasing concern for cattle producers heading toward fall. Grain harvest will increasingly compete with hay work and livestock management for labor and equipment.
• Oregon: The state remains extremely dry, with more than four-fifths of topsoil moisture short or very short. That is affecting rangeland, hay and livestock operations as well as dryland crops. Irrigated specialty crops and forage remain important, while producers continue monitoring water availability through the remainder of summer.
• Washington: Spring wheat and barley harvest is advancing as dry weather favors field access. The same dryness is increasing pressure on pasture and non-irrigated forage, while irrigated fruit, potatoes and vegetable operations continue their summer production cycle. Washington’s specialty agriculture remains a major part of the state’s workload as tree-fruit harvest activity increases.
• Wyoming: Rangeland and livestock conditions remain among the most difficult in the country. Severe moisture shortages are limiting grass and forage, increasing supplemental feeding needs for cattle and sheep operations. Hay production and available irrigation water will be critical entering fall.

Northeast

• Connecticut: Adequate moisture is supporting pasture, hay, and summer specialty crops. Dairy and livestock producers generally have better forage conditions than operations across the drought-stricken West. Vegetable and fruit harvest work continues through the summer season.
• Delaware: Dryness has increased in portions of the state, affecting pasture and forage alongside corn and soybeans. Poultry production remains less directly tied to pasture conditions but depends heavily on regional grain and feed availability. Vegetable and specialty-crop harvest also continues across the Delmarva region.
• Maryland: Moisture remains uneven, with some areas needing rain for pasture, hay and later summer crops. Grain, dairy and livestock operations are balancing fieldwork with forage harvest. Specialty vegetable activity also remains an important component of summer agriculture.
• Maine: Dry weather has provided abundant field time but is reducing soil moisture. Hay, pasture, potatoes and other specialty crops need timely rainfall as summer progresses. Dairy and livestock producers will be watching forage yields closely as winter feed inventories are built.
• Massachusetts: Moisture conditions remain generally favorable, supporting hay, pasture and summer produce. Dairy farms and diversified operations continue forage harvest while fruit and vegetable growers move through peak seasonal marketing.
• New Hampshire: Pasture conditions remain particularly strong, benefiting dairy and livestock operations. Hay production and summer specialty crops also have generally favorable moisture, giving producers an opportunity to add forage inventories before fall.
• New Jersey: Dryness is more noticeable, reducing pasture quality and increasing irrigation needs for some specialty crops. Vegetable growers remain active during the state’s peak summer produce season, while livestock and hay producers need additional rainfall to support forage growth.
• New York: Most areas retain adequate moisture, although localized dryness is expanding. Dairy producers continue cutting forage and building inventories, while fruit and vegetable harvests remain active. USDA terminal-market reports continue showing New York and nearby Northeast specialty-crop supplies moving into wholesale channels.
• Pennsylvania: Moisture and crop conditions remain generally favorable, supporting corn, hay, pasture and the state’s large dairy sector. Strong forage production is particularly important as farms build feed supplies for the coming winter. Vegetable and fruit harvests are also moving through their summer season.
• Rhode Island: Adequate soil moisture is supporting pasture, hay and diversified specialty-crop farms. Summer vegetable harvest and direct-market activity remain important while livestock producers continue building forage supplies.
• Vermont: Localized dryness is beginning to affect pasture and forage, although much of the state remains workable. Dairy producers need continued grass and hay growth to support feed inventories, while diversified vegetable and maple operations move through the summer production season.
• West Virginia: Pasture conditions remain a serious concern, with more than half rated poor or very poor. Cattle operators face increasing forage pressure and may need supplemental hay where grazing has deteriorated. Forecast rainfall across parts of the Appalachians could provide needed relief.

Upper Midwest & Great Lakes

• Michigan: Dryness is increasing across portions of the state, creating concerns for pasture, hay and later-developing crops. Corn remains in relatively good condition, while soybean ratings are weaker. Michigan’s fruit and vegetable growers are also moving through an active harvest period alongside dairy and livestock forage work.
• Minnesota: Corn, soybeans and spring wheat remain in strong condition, while hay and pasture supplies are generally better than across the western Plains. Dairy and cattle producers are continuing forage harvest as small-grain harvest begins. Localized rain forecast for the region could help maintain late-summer pasture growth.
• Wisconsin: Corn and soybeans remain strong, while pasture and hay conditions are generally adequate despite expanding pockets of dryness. Dairy farms continue harvesting forage and building winter feed supplies. Rain chances around portions of the southern Great Lakes could help late-summer pasture and crop development.

Far North, Hawaii & U.S. Territories

• Alaska: Alaska is not included in USDA’s standard 48-state weekly Crop Progress tables, so comparable weekly pasture and crop ratings are unavailable in that report. The state’s agriculture remains centered on forage, livestock, potatoes, vegetables and greenhouse production during the short summer season, and USDA expects record-high hay acreage for harvest in Alaska this year.
• Hawaii: Hawaii is also outside USDA’s standard 48-state weekly tables, limiting direct comparisons with mainland crop and pasture ratings. Cattle, tropical fruit, coffee, macadamia nuts, vegetables and nursery production remain central to the state’s diversified agricultural sector, with specialty-crop marketing and inspection continuing through USDA and state channels.
• Puerto Rico: Puerto Rico is not included in the standard national Crop Progress tables. Tropical fruit, vegetables, coffee, livestock and dairy production remain important, while rainfall distribution and tropical weather are major operational considerations through late summer. USDA’s drought reporting includes Puerto Rico separately from the 48-state Crop Progress system.