USDA’s latest crop progress report, out Monday afternoon and covering the week through September, had most traders eager to get a fresh look at updated corn and soybean quality amid overly dry conditions over the past few weeks in a sizable portion of the Midwest. Both crops saw a one-point decline, within the range of analyst estimates. Winter wheat plantings continue to make some headway, meantime, while the 2025 spring wheat harvest is nearly complete.
Corn quality ratings shifted one point lower last week, with 67% of the crop now in good-to-excellent condition. Another 24% of the crop is rated fair (up one point from last week), with the remaining 9% rated poor or very poor (unchanged from last week). Wisconsin (81%), Iowa (79%) and Nebraska (78%) have the highest-rated crops at this time.
Physiologically, 85% of the crop is now dented, versus the prior five-year average of 86%. Forty-one percent is fully mature, which mirrors the prior five-year average. And harvest progress moved from 4% completion a week ago up to 7% through Sunday. That’s also identical to the prior five-year average.
Soybean quality eroded another point lower last week, with 63% of the crop now rated in good-to-excellent condition. Another 26% of the crop is rated fair (unchanged from last week), with the remaining 11% rated poor or very poor (up one point from last week). Wisconsin (81%), Louisiana (80%) and Nebraska (78%) are in the best shape so far.
Physiologically, 41% of the crop is now dropping leaves, which is slightly ahead of the prior five-year average of 40%. USDA also released its first round of harvest data in today’s report, with 5% completion through Sunday. Louisiana (63%) and Mississippi (43%) are by far the leaders among the top 18 production states. So far, 2025’s pace is slightly ahead of the prior five-year average of 3%.
Winter wheat plantings moved from 5% a week ago up to 11% as of September 14. That’s slightly behind 2024’s pace of 13% and the prior five-year average of 13%.
The 2025 spring wheat harvest is nearly complete, moving from 85% a week ago up to 94% through Sunday. That’s modestly ahead of 2024’s pace of 91% and the prior five-year average of 92%.
Click here for more data from today’s report, including a state-by-state look at topsoil and subsoil moisture, days suitable for fieldwork and more.