Kansas City, MO: Pro Farmer Crop Tour Kicks Off Amid Yield Uncertainties
Kansas City, MO., (Aug. 18, 2025) – The 33rd annual Pro Farmer Crop Tour officially commences this week, navigating through a landscape of challenges that complicate yield predictions, pivotal for the agricultural economy in the Corn Belt.
Tour Overview
The Crop Tour, running from August 18 to 21, dispatches scouts across seven states to assess the potential of corn and soybeans. As the most comprehensive and closely watched yield assessment at this critical juncture of the growing season, stakeholders monitor results to gain insights into projected grain supplies and their potential effects on commodity markets. Findings will be shared nightly during in-person gatherings and streamed live at AgWeb.com and Farm Journal TV.
Economist Insights
Lane Akre, an economist for Pro Farmer and the leader of the eastern tour, expresses eagerness among scouts to compare their corn yield estimates with the USDA’s August 12 report, which projects the U.S. corn crop at 16.7 billion bushels, averaging 188.8 bushels per acre (bpa).
“USDA projects impressive yields, including records in states like Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, and South Dakota, based on satellite imagery and farmer surveys that might not accurately account for pollination or disease issues that could affect yields,” Akre explains. “Our field observations will provide a clearer picture of the corn crop’s quality and scale.”
Historical Context
According to Pro Farmer, the USDA has raised its corn yield estimates in August 17 times over the past 32 years, with final yields falling below the estimates in 15 instances.
Chip Flory, the host of “AgriTalk” and the western tour director, emphasizes that this year’s Crop Tour remains particularly significant as the USDA no longer conducts objective yield sampling in August.
“Our objective is to gather a representative sample of yield potential across the seven Corn Belt states. Over 1,600 corn and 1,600 soybean samples will be taken, providing critical insights into crop status and potential conclusions. This tour is the first organized attempt to assess pollination issues directly by examining actual corn ears,” Flory states.
Tour Coverage and Findings
Farmers and industry experts will traverse fields in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, and South Dakota throughout the tour. A recap of findings will air nightly at 8 p.m. CDT through a live-streamed broadcast hosted by Clinton Griffiths, featuring reports from both Flory and Akre.
Daily official results will be available on ProFarmer.com, where subscribers can access comparative data from previous tours.
Engagement and Media Coverage
Those interested in attending the nightly meetings or accessing live-stream results must register at ProFarmer.com/register.
Daily updates will also be provided on AgWeb.com, Farm Journal TV, and through national broadcasts on “AgDay” and “AgriTalk” radio at 10:06 a.m. and 2:06 p.m. CDT, respectively. Real-time updates will be shared across social media under the hashtag #PFTour25.
Upcoming Special Features
A special edition of “U.S. Farm Report” focusing exclusively on the Crop Tour, hosted by Tyne Morgan, will air the weekend of August 23–24. The Pro Farmer national crop production estimates will also be published in the August 23 issue of the Pro Farmer newsletter.
Acknowledgments
Pro Farmer and Farm Journal extend their gratitude to the scouts who make this tour possible, along with their sponsors: platinum sponsors Pioneer, BASF, and NewLeaf Symbiotics; gold sponsor RCIS; and silver sponsors Estes Performance Concaves, Farm Credit Services of America, Morton Buildings, and the National Corn Growers Association.
About Farm Journal
Farm Journal is the leading business information and media company serving the agricultural sector, bridging row crops, livestock, and retail markets through various platforms and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable practices in agriculture.
