Fourth USDA Crop Report Lost to Shutdown as Harvest Nears Finish

The USDA was expected to publish the 30th Crop Progress report of the growing season today, but the report was not published for a fourth week because of the continued government shutdown.

The shutdown has affected all four expected October reports from USDA. Just four more reports are anticipated after today for the 2025 season, with the last expected Nov. 24, 2025.

In lieu of new data from USDA, here are progress estimates from other sources.

Corn

U.S. corn harvest reached an estimated 72% the week ending Oct. 26, based on a poll conducted by Reuters. Estimates by 10 analysts polled ranged from 67–80%.

Historical Progress

About last year this time, USDA reported 81% of the corn crop had been harvested, but the five-year average was just 64% at the time.

Regional Progress

Iowa

Most of southeast Iowa is nearly done with corn harvest, Wyffels agronomist Eric Wilson reported. “Southwest and northeast Iowa are further behind but making good progress,” he said.

Illinois

Corn harvest in western Illinois is at least 90% done, said Wyffels agronomist Ryan Gentle. In southern Illinois, progress was 75–80% complete, said Syngenta agronomist Phil Krieg. “The northern and deep southern parts of southern Illinois are farther along, while the central corridor is still a long way from done,” Krieg said.

Minnesota

“Corn Harvest continues in Minnesota at a rapid pace,” shared Syngenta agronomist Tim Dahl, reporting that fields are in prime shape for harvest after receiving very little moisture in recent weeks. “Very low grain moistures [also] mean grain driers are operating at record speeds, only having to remove a point or two of moisture,” he said.

Wisconsin

Nick Groth, a Syngenta agronomist, estimated that corn harvest had reached 50% across all of Wisconsin, with much more of the crop harvested in the lower half than the upper. “I would estimate nearly 80% of corn fields have been harvested in southern Wisconsin,” he said. He estimated the percentage in northern Wisconsin at 20%.

Soybeans

The average estimate for U.S. soybean harvest as of Oct. 26 was 84%, according to the Reuters poll. Analyst estimates ranged from 80–88%.

Historical Progress

About last year this time, USDA reported 89% of the soybean crop had been harvested, but the five-year average was just 78% at the time.

Regional Progress

Iowa

Wilson reported most of his territory had completed soybean harvest.

Illinois

“Soybean harvest progressed well this week,” Krieg said of southern Illinois, reporting about 85% of the harvest was complete. Gentle reported soybean harvest in his territory of western Illinois was complete.

Minnesota

Dahl said there were only a few fields left to harvest in his territory as of the week ending Oct. 26.

Wisconsin

As of Sunday, soybean harvest across Wisconsin was “basically complete,” Groth reported, adding that the exception was a few straggling fields.

Winter Wheat

U.S. winter wheat planting progress was estimated at 84%, according to the Reuters poll. Analyst estimates ranged from 81–89%.