IP Crop Network: October 28 report

Harvest season is coming to a close across the Upper Midwest, and our farmers are working hard to finish their fields before the first snow flies. With the continuing U.S. government shutdown pausing USDA reports, we’d like to extend a special thank you to our farmer and industry contacts for providing their harvest updates for this week’s report. 

Soybean and dry beans are over 90% wrapped up in Wisconsin, with average-to-above-average yields across the region. Quality is excellent and most producers are well satisfied with the final production. Corn grain harvest is in full swing with yields running among the best in the last 3-4 years, although moisture levels are stubbornly slow to come down. Producers who chose hybrids with good resistance to leaf disease or those who invested in fungicides are reaping healthy rewards while those who tried to save some money by skipping the sound agronomic practices are mostly disappointed. The scattered acres of sunflowers are yet to be harvested due to higher moisture levels. All things considered, growers are happy with yields. With prices? Not so much! 

Soybean harvest is nearly complete across North Dakota. A warm and open fall allowed steady progress until this week, when rain and colder temperatures slowed the remaining fieldwork. Most of the remaining soybeans will likely be higher moisture due to the inability to air dry soybeans at the current temperatures before winter. Corn harvest continues, but recent moisture has delayed activity as producers wait for grain to dry. For 2025, soybean acreage and yields are slightly below last year. Field reports indicate average yields around 37 bu/acre, resulting in an estimated total production of 241 million bushels from 6.5 million harvested acres. While early forecasts suggested above-average yields, actual production appears near the five-year average, and margins remain tight. Quality is generally good, but seed size will likely be a little smaller than average. 

In Southeast Michigan, most people are close to being done with soybeans, but there are still some in the fields. Corn harvest still has a long way to go, since rain delayed harvest last week. The yields are quite good, but are delayed by the dryer trying to dry all the bushels. Cover crops have been planted by one farmer right behind the combine, so having some rain last week should help to get those going. 

SSGA’s IP Crop Network is published twice a month, highlighting growing conditions for identity preserved crops from different regions around the country. The reports include both firsthand accounts and data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) weekly Crop Progress reports, when available.