Shutdown Claims Another USDA Crop Progress Report as Harvest Advances

The USDA was expected to publish the 28th Crop Progress report of the growing season today, delayed from its usual Monday release by the federal holiday. However, the report was not published for a second week because of the continued government shutdown.

The shutdown has affected half of the expected October reports from USDA. Just six more reports are anticipated after today for the 2025 season: two more in October, and four in November.

In lieu of data from USDA, here are progress and condition estimates from other industry sources.

Corn

U.S. corn harvest reached an estimated 44% the week ending Oct. 12, based on a poll conducted by Reuters. The news agency said that the estimates by the 10 analysts polled ranged from 35% to 55%.

The analysts rated 64% of the U.S. corn crop good/excellent, on average. Corn condition estimates ranged from 63% to 65%.

Starting in early September, Wyffels Hybrids began publishing harvest progress and yield data for farms across the heart of the Corn Belt. The latest update was Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025.

“Harvest is in full swing across the Corn Belt. Farmers in Illinois and Iowa are about halfway through the corn harvest, but there are pockets of greater progress in southern Iowa and central Illinois,” according to the Wyffels update. “As you go north toward Minnesota, progress remains below 25%.”

Mapped data show harvest progress and yield estimates in various locations across Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and South Dakota. The large majority of yield estimates that have been reported to Wyffels are between 200–250 bushels per acre.

Soybeans

The average estimate for U.S. soybean harvest was 58%, according to the Reuters poll. Analyst estimates ranged from 52% to 70%.

The analysts rated 61% of the U.S. soybean crop good/excellent, on average. Soybean condition estimates ranged from 62% to 63%.

Winter Wheat

U.S. winter wheat planting progress was estimated at 66%, according to the Reuters poll. Analyst estimates ranged from 61% to 75%.