U.S. Crop Progress and Agribusiness Update — October 15, 2025

U.S. Farmers Face Shifting Harvest Pace, Basis, and Input Costs

noble farms wheat harvest utah 2025 1000034130.jpg

Wheat Harvest at Noble Farms in Amalga, Utah, 2025. 5th-generation farmer Alan Noble on the combine.

Photo Courtesy of Heidi Richter

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — Here is a region-by-region snapshot of harvest progress, logistics/basis, livestock conditions, and input costs impacting producers this week.

Great Plains

  • Kansas: Corn/soy harvest broadens; milo cutting starting south. HRW planting active; river logistics workable; NH3 slots tight but moving.
  • Nebraska: Combines rolling statewide with good moisture. Ethanol grind supports corn basis; cow-calf hay ample; repair parts and labor pricey.
  • North Dakota: HRS/soy wrap; light corn drying so far. Export rail bids steady; forage supplies okay; fertilizer bookings cautious.
  • Oklahoma: Soybeans turning fast; wheat drilling cautious on moisture. Feedlots steady; country basis mixed; propane ticks higher.
  • South Dakota: Soybeans leading; corn follows as stalk integrity slips. Elevators widen spreads; calf runs brisk; fuel and trucks are tight.
  • Texas: Corn and sorghum harvests advance; cotton defoliation steady. Basis firm near export lanes; pastures brittle; diesel and UAN elevated.

Midwest

  • Illinois: Fast harvest where fields are fit. Processor basis stronger; prepay interest bites; diesel adds pressure.
  • Indiana: Beans maturing evenly; corn moisture dropping. Ethanol/crush demand is supportive; NH3 interest is high; labor is scarce.
  • Iowa: Soybeans are clipping along; corn is variable after late disease. River levels are workable; the basis is steady; drying costs and propane planning are front-of-mind.
  • Michigan: Beets and dry beans share road time with soy. Rail/river balanced; poultry feed firming; propane watched.
  • Missouri: Harvest mixed north to south with droughty pockets. River freight adequate; fall grazing decent; urea still high.
  • Minnesota: Beans moving quickly; frost nipped late corn pockets. Rail reliable; cow-calf feed adequate; fertilizer quotes sticky.
  • Ohio: Rain windows narrow runs; beans first. Basis firm near mills; dairy feed stable; diesel elevated.
  • Wisconsin: Corn silage mostly done; grain harvest building. Dairy margins are tight; basis is steady; parts and labor are expensive.

Northeast

  • Delaware: Soy progressing; corn mostly off. Poultry feed steady; barge/rail smooth; inputs stable.
  • Maryland: Soy mid-harvest; wheat planting begins. Basis steady near mills; fuel surcharges persist.
  • New England (grouped): Silage wrapped; small grains stored. Direct-market crops dominate logistics; fuel costs weigh.
  • New Jersey: Vegetables winding down; soy starting. Basis thin; nursery/truck crops watch labor and diesel.
  • New York: Corn silage nearly complete; grain corn begins. Dairy margins are tight; the basis is steady near ethanol, and propane is monitored.
  • Pennsylvania: Soy turning; corn harvest starting. Poultry/dairy feed steady; trucking adequate; fertilizer flat.

Northwest & Northern Rockies

  • Idaho: Barley/potatoes hauling; late beans wrap. Feedlots are booking corn; rail is reliable; propane is higher.
  • Montana: Barley storage moves finish; calves shipping. HRW seeding paced by moisture; fuel and vet costs elevated.
  • Oregon: Grass seed and specialty crops are shipped; fall planting is measured. Cattle on regrowth fair; fertilizer quotes steady.
  • Washington: Apples/pears shipping strong; SW wheat cleaned up. Export container space is adequate; diesel is pricey; labor is tight.
  • Wyoming: Hay stacks ample; brisk calf runs. Winter wheat seeded; basis thin; inputs steady-high.

Southeast & Delta

  • Alabama: Peanuts digging; cotton opening well. Poultry integrators steady; hay inventories comfortable; logistics are normal.
  • Arkansas: Rice nearly wrapped; soy harvest expanding. Barge flows smooth; poultry feed steady; phosphate remains pricey.
  • Florida: Specialty harvests ongoing; hay ample after wet summer. Cattle condition fair; trucking costs sticky; inputs steady.
  • Georgia: Peanut and cotton pace is solid under dry skies. Port access strong; broiler feed steady; potash flat.
  • Kentucky: Tobacco finishing; soy mid-run. River basis firm; cow-calf feed moderate; NH3 application windows filling.
  • Louisiana: Early cane work; soy wraps in many parishes. Export lanes open; cattle condition is fair; diesel prices are still high.
  • Mississippi: Soy and cotton pickers are busy. River basis competitive; feeder sales active; staged fertilizer procurement.
  • North Carolina: Tobacco closeout; beans and cotton ramp east-to-west. Hog feed steady; fertilizer mostly spot.
  • South Carolina: Cotton pickers rolling; soy pods mature. Basis thin inland; cattle on fescue improving; parts delays linger.
  • Tennessee: Soy and cotton roll; corn mostly done. River timing acceptable; calf market firm; fuel surcharges persist.
  • Virginia: Soy advancing; small-grain planting beginning. Poultry feed stable; diesel elevated; lime applications underway.

West & Southwest

  • Arizona: Pima picking and alfalfa cuttings continue. Feedlots are steady; water allocations are adequate; urea is high versus NH3.
  • California: Almond/pistachio hauling heavy; cotton picking south. Ports fluid; dairy feed basis firm; labor and fuel high.
  • Colorado: Corn and dry beans moving; beets underway. Feedlot demand is firm; rail is dependable; drying costs are rising.
  • Nevada: Final alfalfa cuttings; water is tight. Calf runs moderately; logistics long-distance; inputs steady-to-high.
  • New Mexico: Fall pasture fragile; wheat grazing seedings selective. Dairy margins squeezed; localized corn harvest; fuel elevated.
  • Utah: Small grains wrapped; hay marketing is active. Cow herds steady; long-haul trucking expensive; fertilizer limited.
noble farms wheat harvest utah 2025 1000033654.jpg

Wheat Harvest at Noble Farms in Amalga, Utah, 2025. 5th-generation farmer Alan Noble on the combine.

Photo Courtesy of Heidi Richter

Upper Midwest & Great Lakes (OH, MI, WI)

  • Region note: Lake logistics steady with occasional weather delays. Drying costs and propane coverage remain key risk items.

Far North & U.S. Territories

  • Alaska: Hay and silage wrapped; limited grain moves. Freight dominates costs; livestock condition is fair heading into winter.
  • Puerto Rico: Plantains, coffee, and specialty crops are shipped locally. Feed imports steady; diesel and freight remain elevated.
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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.

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