USDA Releases Latest Crop Progress Report for 2025 Growing Season

On September 28, the USDA published its 26th Crop Progress report for the 2025 growing season. Below is an overview of the latest data concerning corn, soybeans, and winter wheat.

Corn

As of September 28, 95% of the corn crop in the top 18 growing states has reached the dent stage, just shy of the five-year average. Furthermore, 71% of the crop is reported as mature, aligning with the necessary development for harvest.

The current harvest progress is at 18%, which lags behind both the five-year average of 19% and last year’s rate of 20%. Notably, only North Dakota remains with no corn harvested; historically, the state averages around 5% at this time of year.

The condition of corn throughout the top 18 states is as follows:

• Good/Excellent: 66%
• Fair: 24%
• Poor/Very Poor: 10%

Soybeans

Regarding soybeans, 79% of the crop across the top 18 states has reached the dropping leaves stage, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 77%. However, the harvest is currently only at 19%, which is 1 percentage point short of the historical average.

The soybean crop’s condition is reported as follows:

• Good/Excellent: 62%
• Fair: 27%
• Poor/Very Poor: 11%

Interestingly, there’s been an increase of 1 percentage point in the proportion of soybeans classified as good/excellent over the past week.

Winter Wheat

Meanwhile, the planting season for winter wheat is in full swing across the top 18 wheat-growing states, with progress reaching 34% as of September 28, although this figure trails the five-year average by 2 percentage points. Emergence of the crop is at 13%, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 12%.

These reports underscore the fluctuating conditions and challenges faced by farmers as they navigate the 2025 growing season. Continuous updates from the USDA will be vital as the harvests progress.