NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Farmers are making steady harvesting progress in the fields.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Crop Progress Report for September 15, 2025 (PDF), indicates 7 percent of corn harvested and 5 percent of soybeans cut, both close to average. Spring wheat harvest is nearly finished at 94 percent, and winter wheat planting is off to a strong start.
Harvest pace is building across the Corn Belt and Delta as row-crop prices remain under pressure; diesel has ticked higher month-on-month while rail shuttle values for October are soft amid subdued Pacific Northwest soybean demand. Cattle prices remain historically strong on tight beef supplies, while hog and dairy margins vary by feed costs and local basis.
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the USDA is ready to step in with more farmer support this fall if needed. Speaking to ag leaders in Arkansas, she admitted times are tough with low prices and sluggish exports, but said the Trump Administration is working with Congress to figure out how much relief might be needed. Rollins also pointed to past programs and promised that, like before, the administration wants to stand by American farmers and ranchers through these challenges.
———
Here is a State-by-State Breakdown on Agribusiness and Harvest Progress across the United States by RFD-TV Markets Expert Tony St. James for the week of Monday, September 15, 2025.:
Alabama — Peanuts and cotton are progressing with spotty late-season showers; poultry integrators report steady bird placements with feed costs stable week-over-week. Timber hauling conditions are improving on drier fields.
Alaska — Commercial salmon runs are winding down with processors clearing inventories; hay supplies for wintering livestock are tight in some Interior areas. Greenhouse vegetable output remains steady for local markets.
Arizona — Pima cotton bolls are opening with defoliation beginning in the low deserts; alfalfa cuttings continue with strong dairy demand. Cattle movement to fall pastures is underway as rangeland conditions vary by monsoon rainfall.
Arkansas — Early rice harvest is advancing with favorable cutting moisture; soybean and corn harvests are starting in the east. Broiler production steady: catfish processors report normal procurement.
California — Almond and pistachio harvests are active, table grape movement is strong, and labor availability is adequate. Dairy milk output is seasonally lower in the Central Valley, while hay prices are mixed; specialty vegetable harvests continue along the coast.
Colorado — Corn silage chopping is widespread; dry edible bean harvest beginning in the northeast. Cow-calf producers report tight hay carryover; fed cattle marketings remain current.
Connecticut — Orchard apples and direct-market vegetables are in peak season with steady agritourism traffic. Shellfish growers note stable demand with routine harvest schedules.
Delaware — Corn moisture is dropping with a full harvest to follow; full-season soybeans are turning quickly. Poultry complex stable with integrators maintaining contract placements.
Florida — Sugarcane stands look strong heading toward harvest, citrus rehab blocks report typical fall cultural work. Cattlemen continue to cull cow marketing as pastures transition from summer growth.
Georgia — Peanut pegging is wrapping up, with digging to start in early fields, and cotton defoliation trials are underway. Broiler placements steady; lumber demand moderate for regional mills.
Hawaii — Coffee picking ramps up on the Big Island; macadamia deliveries are increasing. Cattle shipments on the inter-island remain light with feed costs elevated.
Idaho — Sugar beet and potato harvests begin in early areas; hay supplies are adequate, though freight remains a factor. Dairies report steady milk flow with balanced processing.
Illinois — Corn and soybean harvest will begin in the south first; river basis mixed with barge traffic is normal. Livestock feeders are watching the corn basis for fall coverage.
Indiana — Early group soybeans nearing maturity; corn silage largely completed. Hog margins hinge on meal pricing; local elevators are widening harvest basis on storage constraints.
Iowa — Test weight reports are encouraging in early fields; on-farm storage space is tight for some producers. Ethanol plants running steady; cow-calf operators lining up fall herd work.
Kansas — Sorghum color change widespread; soybean leaf drop accelerating. Feeder cattle runs are building at auctions with strong demand, and wheat planting prep is underway.
Kentucky — Tobacco curing is progressing; corn harvest starting in western counties. Cow-calf herds market spring calves with firm prices; hay inventories are mixed by region.
Louisiana — Rice second-crop prospects vary; cane fields are advancing after recent showers. Soybean harvest pushing northward; shrimp landings seasonally lighter.
Maine — Wild blueberry cleanup continues; potato harvest beginning in Aroostook. Lobster fleet activity is steady, with dockside prices seasonally firm.
Maryland — Corn silage nearly wrapped; grain corn moisture falling fast. Poultry operations steady; direct-market orchards in peak apple season.
Massachusetts — Cranberry growers prepping for harvest; farm stands busy with fall produce. Aquaculture (oysters) shipments steady to Northeast buyers.
Michigan — Dry beans nearing harvest; sugar beets on schedule. Apple crop moving to packers; dairy producers watching basis for corn and hay procurement.
Minnesota — Soybeans turning with harvest to start in the South; corn silage ongoing. Hog marketings steady; turkey placements on track ahead of holidays.
Mississippi — Soybean and cotton defoliation moving northward; rice cutting active in the Delta. Catfish processors report typical pull rates; forestry mills are operating at a normal pace.
Missouri — Corn harvest has started in the Bootheel; statewide soybean maturity is accelerating. Cow-calf producers are selling spring calves into a strong feeder market.
Montana — Spring wheat harvest wrapping up; pulse crop movement steady. Calf shipping season begins with adequate hay stocks in many ranch areas.
Nebraska — Irrigated corn looks solid; dryland variability persists. Feeder cattle demand is robust; ethanol plants are steady, with DDGS movement normal.
Nevada — Final alfalfa cuttings progressing where weather allows; livestock moving off high country. Water allocations for late season are tight in some basins.
New Hampshire — Apple picking draws strong agritourism; vegetable growers are cleaning up fields. Dairy farms are balancing feed purchases with new-crop corn silage.
New Jersey — Pepper, tomato, and sweet corn harvests continue; nursery stock shipping for fall installs. Seafood landings (scallops) are steady.
New Mexico — Chile and pecan orchards progressing; alfalfa cuttings continue. Cow-calf herds facing spot forage stress; dairy sector steady.
New York — Soybeans turning statewide; corn silage pace picking up. Milk output is seasonally lower; the apple crop is heavy in key regions.
North Carolina — Tobacco harvest active; sweet potato digging starting. Hogs steady; broiler placements normal; soybean and cotton maturity advancing.
North Dakota — Soybean and corn reaching maturity; canola and sunflower fields progressing toward harvest. Calf runs are set to begin soon, with a grain basis reflecting ample storage use.
Ohio — Early soybean fields near cutting; corn silage finishing. Hog producers watching meal costs; cattle auction volumes light ahead of fall runs.
Oklahoma — Late-summer rains have benefited pastures, and stocker operators are now preparing for wheat pasture grazing. Cotton bolls opening in the southwest; sorghum progressing.
Oregon — Hazelnut harvest starting; grass seed shipments steady. Cattle movement off forest permits is underway; the wine grape harvest is approaching.
Pennsylvania — Silage harvest is widespread, and the apple, mushroom, and dairy sectors are steady. Poultry integrators report routine placements.
Rhode Island — Direct-market produce steady; shellfish growers reporting regular orders. Farmstands transition to fall crops.
South Carolina — Peanut and cotton conditions are generally good; soybeans are turning. Poultry output steady; coastal seafood landings typical for season.
South Dakota — Soybeans are dropping leaves; corn is nearing the black layer in many fields. Cow-calf producers are preparing for weaning, with feeder demand expected to remain firm.
Tennessee — Corn harvest underway in the West; soybeans turning statewide. Cattle receipts moderate with strong interest in quality calves.
Texas — Cotton harvest active in the Coastal Bend and Rolling Plains; sorghum movement steady with basis sensitive to export demand. Cowherds are selling spring calves into strong markets; pasture conditions are mixed.
Utah — Final alfalfa cuttings ongoing; small grains wrapped up. Lamb and calf marketing is set to increase; water supplies are adequate in many valleys.
Vermont — Corn silage harvest expanding; dairy producers monitoring milk-to-feed ratios. Apple orchards are busy with pick-your-own.
Virginia — Soybeans filling and turning; peanut and cotton progressing in Tidewater. Poultry and cattle sectors steady; timber harvests routine.
Washington — Apple and pear shipments are building; hop harvest remains active. Wheat exports steady through PNW terminals; cattle feeders watching feed grain basis.
West Virginia — Hay supplies fair to good; cow-calf operations prepping for fall sales. Specialty crops (apples) are moving through local markets.
Wisconsin — Corn silage cutting widespread; soybeans nearing maturity. Milk production is seasonally lower; cheese plants are operating at typical schedules.
Wyoming — Third-cutting alfalfa continues, sugar beet fields on track. Ranchers preparing to market calves; water availability is generally adequate.
Puerto Rico — Coffee pruning and harvest prep ongoing in central mountains; plantain/banana supplies steady to local markets. Dairy shipments to processors are running normally.
Guam — Smallholder vegetable and fruit production steady for local demand; aquaculture operations report routine harvest cycles.
U.S. Virgin Islands — Specialty produce and poultry operations steady; fisheries note typical seasonal landings.
