RFD-TV Weekly Crop Progress and Livestock Production Update

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Rain, early snow, and tropical moisture changed agricultural conditions across several regions during the past week, while drought intensified in parts of the Midwest and lower Mississippi Valley.

Producers are balancing harvest needs with winter wheat establishment, forage conditions, livestock water supplies and the opportunity to rebuild soil moisture heading into 2027.

Great Plains

Texas — Rain improved moisture across parts of northern and western Texas, including portions of the Panhandle, while southeastern areas remained dry. Additional rainfall could help wheat and pasture establishment but may slow cotton and grain harvest where totals become heavy.
Oklahoma — Recent rainfall has improved planting conditions for wheat and offered some late-season forage benefit, but much of the state remains moisture deficient. Cattle producers continue watching wheat pasture development as feeder and stocker demand responds to available grazing.
Kansas — Drought remains an agricultural concern across parts of Kansas despite scattered moisture. Winter wheat establishment and pasture recovery remain tied closely to additional fall rainfall.
Nebraska — Recent wet weather improved soil moisture but created grain-quality concerns in some corn fields, including kernel sprouting and ear rots. A brief drier period offered harvest opportunities, with more rain capable of slowing fieldwork again later in October.
South Dakota — September rainfall helped replenish surface moisture after a hot, dry growing season. The moisture is also improving conditions for fall weed control in pastures and rangeland while producers manage harvest and livestock forage needs.
North Dakota — Drought remains a concern for livestock and forage producers after a dry season across much of the state. Ranchers continue managing water and feed supplies as operations move deeper into fall.

Midwest

Iowa — Persistent rainfall has slowed field operations and corn drydown in parts of Iowa. Producers are balancing harvest timing against grain moisture, drying costs, and the risk of leaving mature crops in the field.
Missouri — Drought has intensified in southwestern Missouri and parts of the lower Midwest after another stretch of warm, dry weather. Forecast rainfall could help pastures and soil moisture while also interrupting harvest.
Illinois — Southern portions of Illinois have turned drier while harvest continues across the state. Producers are watching soil moisture for fall fieldwork and winter crop establishment while managing storage and grain movement.
Indiana — Warm, dry conditions have favored harvest in many areas but have also contributed to expanding dryness in southern portions of the state. Fall fertilizer applications and wheat establishment will depend on moisture during the remainder of October.
Ohio — Harvest and fall fieldwork remain the primary focus as temperatures stay relatively mild. Moisture conditions vary across the state, leaving some producers with good field access while others continue monitoring soil recharge before winter.

Delta & South

Arkansas — Drought worsened across southern portions of Arkansas before additional rainfall entered the region. Rice, soybean and cotton harvest activity remains sensitive to heavy rain, while pastures and winter forage stand to benefit from improved moisture.
Louisiana — Northern Louisiana remains affected by worsening drought and rainfall deficits. Additional moisture would help pasture and winter forage conditions but could complicate late cotton, soybean and sugarcane fieldwork.
Mississippi — Dryness continues across portions of Mississippi, putting pressure on pasture and soil moisture. Producers are balancing cotton and soybean harvest with preparation for winter grazing and livestock feeding.
Tennessee — Drought expanded across parts of Tennessee during another warm, dry stretch. Rain would aid pastures, winter wheat and stockpiled forage, while delaying remaining row-crop harvest where totals become heavy.
Kentucky — Dry conditions have expanded across portions of Kentucky, increasing concern for pastures and fall-seeded crops. Livestock producers are watching hay supplies and fall forage growth as temperatures remain warmer than normal.
Alabama — Heavy rainfall from tropical moisture improved drought conditions across much of Alabama, with some areas receiving very large totals. The moisture benefits pastures and soil reserves but may temporarily slow cotton and peanut harvest.
Georgia — Tropical rainfall eased drought across parts of Georgia and improved soil moisture. Producers still face the challenge of getting cotton, peanuts, and other fall crops harvested between rain events.
Florida — Heavy rain improved drought conditions across the Panhandle and northern Florida. Pastures and soil moisture benefited, although saturated fields and localized flooding can disrupt harvest and livestock movement.
South Carolina — Recent tropical rainfall brought meaningful drought improvement across South Carolina. Moisture is helping pasture and soil conditions while growers work around wet fields to finish fall harvest.
North Carolina — Rain improved drought conditions across portions of North Carolina. Producers are weighing the benefits for pasture and winter crops against delays to cotton, peanut and soybean harvest.

West & Southwest

California — Much of California remained relatively dry during the latest western storm cycle. Producers continue monitoring irrigation supplies, orchard conditions and winter precipitation prospects as the new water year begins.
Nevada — Significant drought remains across portions of Nevada despite isolated regional moisture. Ranchers continue managing rangeland and water availability heading into winter.
Arizona — Recent rainfall brought additional drought improvement to parts of Arizona, although long-term moisture deficits remain. The moisture supports rangeland recovery and winter crop preparation but has not erased deeper water concerns.
New Mexico — Rainfall improved drought conditions in parts of New Mexico, but livestock producers also face a separate animal-health concern from additional confirmed New World screwworm cases. Range moisture has improved locally, while longer-term drought remains a constraint.
Colorado — Rain and mountain snow provided localized drought relief across Colorado. Ranchers and irrigators are looking for continued winter moisture after a difficult water year and persistent rangeland stress.
Utah — Recent storms reduced drought severity in parts of Utah and delivered early mountain snow. The moisture provides some improvement for rangeland and soil conditions, although significant drought remains in portions of the state.

Northwest & Northern Rockies

Oregon — Drought conditions remained largely unchanged across Oregon, with eastern agricultural areas continuing to face water and rangeland concerns. Fall precipitation and mountain snow will be important for rebuilding irrigation supplies.
Washington — Much of Washington saw little change in drought conditions during the week. Dryland wheat areas and irrigated agriculture remain focused on soil moisture and winter water-supply development.
Idaho — Rain and higher-elevation snow improved moisture conditions in parts of Idaho. The precipitation provides welcome recharge after drought, while potato, sugarbeet and grain producers continue fall harvest and storage work.
Montana — Significant rain and early-season snow brought drought improvement to western and north-central Montana, with some locations receiving substantial snowfall. Ranchers gained moisture for rangeland and stock-water supplies as livestock move toward winter feeding.
Wyoming — Rain and mountain snow provided localized drought improvement across Wyoming. Ranchers continue watching forage supplies and winter moisture after dry conditions affected portions of the state.

Northeast

Maine — Drought remains a concern in portions of Maine despite localized rainfall. Agricultural operations are moving toward winter with attention on soil moisture, forage supplies, and water availability.
New Hampshire — Moisture conditions remain uneven as fall fieldwork winds down. Producers are watching groundwater and soil moisture recharge heading into winter.
Vermont — Cooler fall weather is shifting dairy and livestock operations toward stored feed while remaining fieldwork continues. Recent precipitation has generally supported soil moisture better than in the driest parts of northern New England.
Massachusetts — Fall harvest of vegetables, cranberries, and orchard crops continues while growers monitor moisture heading into dormancy. Local rainfall has provided some relief, but conditions remain variable.
Rhode Island — Specialty crop and greenhouse operations are transitioning toward late-fall production. Rainfall has helped soil moisture, although growers remain focused on water availability and frost timing.
Connecticut — Orchard, vegetable and nursery producers are wrapping up fall harvest and preparing perennial crops for winter. Soil moisture remains an important issue where late-season rainfall has been limited.
New York — Fall harvest continues across grain, dairy and specialty-crop regions while moisture varies sharply by location. Western New York producers are also managing grain movement and storage as temperatures cool.
New Jersey — Vegetable and nursery operations are moving through late-season harvest and winter preparation. Recent rainfall has helped in some areas, but field access and soil moisture remain locally variable.
Pennsylvania — Corn, soybean, and forage operations continue across the state while dairy farms move more feed into storage. Western and central areas are watching soil moisture for winter wheat and forage establishment.
Delaware — Soybean and corn harvest remain central activities while poultry and grain operations watch feed and transportation costs. Moisture will be important for winter cover crops and small grains.
Maryland — Producers continue corn and soybean harvest while planting cover crops and small grains. Rainfall patterns remain important for timely establishment before colder weather arrives.
Virginia — Recent rainfall improved drought conditions in parts of Virginia. The moisture is helping pasture and fall-seeded crops while row-crop producers work around wetter harvest conditions.
West Virginia — Livestock and forage operations are moving toward winter feeding as temperatures cool. Pasture moisture remains uneven, making hay supplies and stored feed increasingly important.

Upper Midwest & Great Lakes

Minnesota — Northern portions of Minnesota continue to deal with drought while harvest proceeds farther south. Livestock and forage producers are watching hay supplies and soil moisture as winter approaches.
Wisconsin — Dry, warm weather allowed rapid soybean harvest progress, but drought worsened across northern Wisconsin and extreme drought expanded. Corn harvest continues while livestock producers in dry areas monitor forage quality and nitrate concerns.
Michigan — Drought worsened in parts of the Upper Peninsula while lower Michigan remains more variable. Fruit, grain and livestock operations are transitioning toward winter with soil moisture and stored forage important concerns.

Far North, Hawaii & U.S. Territories

Alaska — Abnormal dryness improved in part of the southern Panhandle, although longer-term moisture deficits remain in central and northern sections. Agricultural activity is largely transitioning into winter feeding, storage, and protected production.
Hawaii — Drought conditions changed little, with abnormal dryness remaining mainly on the leeward Big Island. Livestock and forage conditions continue to depend heavily on localized trade-wind rainfall.
Puerto Rico — Drought remains concentrated in eastern and southern Puerto Rico, where agriculture continues to face uneven rainfall and water availability. Producers are watching reservoirs, pasture moisture, and irrigation needs.
U.S. Virgin Islands — Showers brought localized improvement, including some easing of abnormal dryness on St. Croix, but drought concerns remain. Livestock and crop producers continue monitoring cistern and soil moisture supplies.