RFD-TV Weekly State-by-State Crop Progress and Livestock Production Report

NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD-TV News) — Harvest continued across much of the country as producers balanced fieldwork with sharply different moisture conditions. Heavy rain improved drought conditions across parts of the central and southern Plains and Southeast, while dryness remained a concern in portions of the northern tier, Great Lakes and Northeast.

Grain producers also entered the week facing lower futures after USDA raised corn, soybean and wheat supplies, while elevated diesel costs continued to pressure harvest and transportation expenses.

Great Plains

Texas: Widespread heavy rainfall sharply improved drought across much of central, eastern, southern and Panhandle areas. The moisture benefited wheat, pasture and stock water, but slowed cotton and other harvest activity locally after a long stretch of hot, dry weather.
Kansas: Heavy rainfall across central and western Kansas improved soil moisture and drought conditions, with some areas receiving several inches. Harvest activity faced temporary interruptions, but improved moisture should help winter wheat establishment and pasture conditions.
Nebraska: Rainfall improved moisture across southern portions of the state while northern areas received less precipitation. Corn and soybean harvest continued, with producers balancing field conditions against the need to move grain before additional fall weather arrives.
North Dakota: Mostly light precipitation allowed harvest work to continue across much of the state. Earlier moisture provided some drought improvement, but producers remain focused on completing row-crop and small-grain fieldwork before colder weather limits activity.
South Dakota: Harvest advanced under generally workable conditions, though moisture remained uneven across the state. Livestock producers continue assessing forage and winter feed supplies as pasture conditions vary considerably by region.
Oklahoma: Heavy rainfall brought significant drought improvement from western areas through central Oklahoma and the Red River Valley. The moisture benefited pasture, stock water, and winter wheat establishment, although wet fields temporarily slowed harvest and planting work.
Colorado: Eastern Colorado received substantial rainfall, producing some of the strongest drought improvement in the region. The moisture aided winter wheat and rangeland but slowed harvest locally, while northeastern areas remained drier than much of the state.

Midwest

Iowa: Corn and soybean harvest remained the dominant field activity, with periods of rain interrupting work in some areas. Recent precipitation supported soil moisture ahead of fall tillage, while lower grain futures increased pressure on storage and marketing decisions.
Illinois: Rain across northern portions of Illinois improved moisture while harvest continued statewide. Corn and soybean producers remain focused on yield variability, drying costs, and whether to store grain following the sharp post-WASDE market decline.
Indiana: Harvest continued as producers worked through corn and soybeans under generally adequate field conditions. Moisture remains less problematic than in some neighboring areas, but producers are watching grain prices closely as larger national supplies pressure fall revenue.
Iowa: Grain movement and harvest logistics remained active as producers moved both corn and soybeans. Recent rains improved moisture but created short-term delays in some fields, while basis and storage availability are increasingly important marketing considerations.
Missouri: Northern Missouri benefited from rainfall, while parts of southern Missouri remained drier. Harvest continued, and cattle producers are monitoring pasture and hay supplies as moisture conditions remain uneven.
Ohio: Corn and soybean harvest progressed as field conditions allowed. Producers continue balancing harvest moisture, drying expense, and storage capacity while winter wheat planting moves forward behind soybean harvest.

Delta & South

Arkansas: Rainfall brought some improvement to northern and northwestern Arkansas, while southern and eastern areas remained comparatively dry. Rice, soybean, and cotton harvest remained active, with producers watching soil conditions and transportation needs.
Louisiana: Moisture improved in parts of southeastern Louisiana, but dryness persisted or worsened farther west and southwest. Sugarcane activity is increasing while soybean and cotton harvest move toward completion, and cattle producers continue watching pasture recovery.
Mississippi: Southern areas received beneficial rain while northern Mississippi remained comparatively dry. Cotton and soybean harvest continued, with pasture and hay conditions still variable after extended summer heat.
Tennessee: Eastern Tennessee saw some moisture improvement, while central and western areas remained under greater dryness pressure. Row-crop harvest continued, and cattle producers are evaluating fall pasture growth and winter forage needs.
Kentucky: Dryness expanded across portions of central and eastern Kentucky. Corn and soybean harvest continued, while livestock producers remain attentive to pasture moisture, hay inventories and the cost of supplemental feed.
Alabama: Heavy rainfall improved drought conditions across southern Alabama and benefited pasture and soil moisture. Cotton and peanut harvest faced some weather delays, while cattle operations benefited from improved forage conditions.
Georgia: Southern Georgia received widespread heavy rainfall, providing meaningful drought relief. Peanut and cotton harvest slowed in wetter areas, while producers in northern Georgia continued dealing with drier conditions.
Florida: The Panhandle and northern Florida received substantial rainfall, while moisture conditions across central and western portions of the peninsula changed less. Pastures and cattle benefited where rainfall was strongest, while citrus and vegetable operations continued normal fall management.
South Carolina: Coastal areas benefited from heavy rainfall and drought improvement, while parts of central South Carolina remained drier. Cotton, peanut, and soybean harvest continued, with field access becoming more difficult where rainfall was heaviest.
North Carolina: Harvest remained active for cotton, peanuts, soybeans, and sweet potatoes. Northeastern areas remained comparatively dry, keeping soil moisture uneven as fall fieldwork progresses.
Virginia: Southeastern Virginia experienced some worsening dryness while other areas maintained more stable moisture conditions. Corn and soybean harvest continued, with livestock producers monitoring pasture and hay supplies heading deeper into fall.

West & Southwest

New Mexico: Rainfall across northern and northeastern areas continued to improve drought conditions and rangeland moisture. Livestock producers gained some forage relief, while chile, cotton, and other fall harvest work continued where fields were accessible.
Arizona: Earlier rainfall continued to support drought improvement in parts of the state even as the latest week was relatively quiet. Cotton harvest and vegetable production remained active, with irrigation supplies and longer-term water availability still central concerns.
California: Most agricultural areas remained dry, with drought conditions largely unchanged. Grape, nut and tree-fruit harvest activity continued, while irrigation availability and water costs remain major management issues heading into the fall and winter recharge season.
Nevada: Dry conditions persisted with little change in drought coverage. Livestock producers continue relying on hay and stored forage as rangeland productivity declines seasonally.
Utah: Some drought improvement followed earlier precipitation, although much of the state remained dry. Livestock movement, hay feeding, and preparation for winter conditions are becoming increasingly important across higher-elevation operations.

Northwest & Northern Rockies

Washington: Dryness remained largely unchanged across Washington. Apple and potato harvest activity continued, while wheat producers and livestock operations remain focused on soil moisture and winter precipitation prospects.
Oregon: Conditions stayed generally dry with little drought improvement. Producers continued fall harvest and field preparation, while livestock operations in drier areas remain dependent on stored forage and water supplies.
Idaho: Southeastern Idaho saw limited drought improvement, while much of the state remained unchanged. Potato and sugar beet harvests continued, with colder nights increasing pressure to finish fieldwork.
Montana: Some areas benefited from earlier precipitation and modest drought improvement, but moisture remains uneven. Cattle movement and winter feed planning are increasing as grazing conditions decline seasonally.
Wyoming: North-central Wyoming experienced continued dryness while much of the state changed little. Livestock producers remain focused on pasture conditions, hay supplies, and preparations for colder weather.

Northeast

Pennsylvania: Fall harvest continued for corn and soybeans while dairy and livestock operations moved toward winter feed management. Moisture remained generally adequate compared with areas farther north, although localized dryness persists.
New York: Corn silage, grain corn, and soybean harvest activity continued as temperatures cooled. Dairy farms remain focused on forage inventories and feed quality heading into winter.
New Jersey: Vegetable and specialty-crop harvest continued while row-crop operations moved through corn and soybeans. Recent moisture reduced some dryness concerns, but producers remain focused on completing fieldwork ahead of colder weather.
Delaware: Abnormal dryness eased in parts of Delaware following recent rainfall. Corn and soybean harvest continued, with poultry and grain operations watching feed costs and local basis.
Maryland: Dryness improved across portions of southern and eastern Maryland. Row-crop harvest remained active, while livestock and poultry producers continue watching feed and transportation costs.
West Virginia: Fall fieldwork and livestock preparation continued with generally cooler conditions. Hay supplies and pasture quality remain important as cattle producers transition toward winter feeding.
Maine: Severe drought expanded across the northern half of Maine as surface moisture and streamflows declined. Potato harvest and other fall work continued, but persistent dryness remains a concern for groundwater and forage conditions.
New Hampshire: Moderate drought expanded across northern sections while conditions improved farther south. Livestock and forage operations are increasingly focused on stored feed as the grazing season winds down.
Vermont: Northern Vermont experienced increasing drought pressure alongside declining streamflows. Dairy and forage producers continue moving toward winter feeding and manure-management schedules.
Massachusetts: Moderate drought persisted in parts of the state despite earlier rainfall because groundwater and streamflows remained low. Cranberry and other specialty-crop harvest work continued while water availability remains an important concern.
Connecticut: Fall vegetable, orchard and field-crop harvest activity continued. Moisture conditions were less severe than farther north, but producers remain attentive to soil moisture and water supplies.
Rhode Island: Specialty-crop and vegetable harvest continued as temperatures cooled. Water conditions remained generally more stable than in northern New England, though localized dryness remains possible.

Upper Midwest & Great Lakes

Minnesota: Drought conditions changed little across much of Minnesota. Corn and soybean harvest continued, while livestock producers remain focused on forage supplies and the transition from pasture to stored feed.
Wisconsin: Drought intensified sharply across northern Wisconsin, including expansion of exceptional drought. Dairy and livestock operations face increasing concern over forage, pasture, and water supplies, while southern areas remain in better condition.
Michigan: Rain improved conditions across the Lower Peninsula and removed much of the moderate drought there. The Upper Peninsula remained much drier, with severe drought expanding as precipitation stayed limited.

Far North, Hawaii & U.S. Territories

Alaska: Fall conditions are increasingly limiting field activity as producers transition livestock and stored feed operations toward winter. NOAA expects southeastern Alaska to remain relatively warm and wet compared with normal during October.
Hawaii: Agricultural conditions remain highly dependent on local rainfall and irrigation, with dry pockets continuing in some areas. Livestock and specialty-crop producers are watching water supplies as the islands enter the wetter part of the year.
Puerto Rico: Scattered rainfall continued to improve moisture across portions of the north-central, eastern, and southwestern parts of the island. Coffee, plantain, livestock and other operations benefited where rain increased, though conditions remain uneven.
U.S. Virgin Islands: Rainfall remained limited across portions of the islands, with St. Croix continuing to show significant long-term dryness. Livestock and specialty-crop producers remain highly dependent on stored water and localized rainfall.