What’s Happening With North Dakota Crops?

USDA published the latest Crop Progress report on Monday, Aug. 18. Here’s a closer look at recent weather and the status of North Dakota’s most important crops in mid-August.

Weather

North Dakota has gotten much more moisture than normal, according to the Iowa Environmental Mesonet. 

In Monday’s Crop Progress report, USDA said farmers had 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork the week that ended Aug. 17, compared to 4.5 days this time last year.

USDA rated North Dakota topsoil moisture 5% short, 81% adequate, and 14% surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions in the state were rated 1% very short, 12% short, 76% adequate, and 11% surplus.

Corn

Acreage Estimates

According to the June 30 Acreage report, North Dakota farmers planted 4.25 million acres of corn in 2025. This is up from 3.95 acres from the previous year, USDA said.

Pest and Disease Pressure

A map published by the Crop Protection Network shows there are no positive tar spot cases in North Dakota. 

Silking Progress

The latest Crop Progress report said 95% of North Dakota’s corn crop has reached the silk growth stage. That is on track with the five-year average of 96%. 

Corn Dough

USDA reported 45% of North Dakota’s corn crop has reached the corn dough stage. That is level with the five-year average of 45%. Last year at this time 31% of the state’s corn had reached the dough stage.

Corn Dented

The Crop Progress report said 11% of North Dakota’s corn crop has reached the dent stage. That is ahead of the five-year average of 4%. Last year at this time none of the state’s corn had reached the dent growth stage.

Corn Condition

The USDA rated North Dakota corn as 2% very poor, 7% poor, 28% fair, 58% good, and 5% excellent for the week ending Aug. 17.

The 18-state average ratings are 2% very poor, 6% poor, 21% fair, 50% good, and 21% excellent.

Soybeans

Acreage Estimates

The Acreage report published June 30 said North Dakota planted 6.6 million acres of soybeans this year, level with last year’s soybean acreage. 

Blooming Progress

The latest Crop Progress report said 98% of North Dakota soybeans are blooming. That is slightly ahead of the five-year average of 96%.

Soybeans Setting Pods

Eighty-seven percent of North Dakota’s soybeans have set pods, compared to the 80% five-year average. 

Pest and Disease Pressure

Ana Carcedo, North Dakota State University Extension broadleaf crops agronomist, said in a North Dakota State University Extension article that similar to last year, cool and wet conditions caused prolonged iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) symptoms in North Dakota soybean fields. 

Wade Webster, NDSU Extension plant pathologist, in an In the Pod: Soybean Updates podcast, said that mid-August is the time to look for Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS). SDS is caused by a pathogen called Fusarium Virgula Formae. It’s a soil-borne pathogen, so it survives in the soil and in crop residue, especially corn residue. He said it usually spreads with equipment.

“The first symptom that you’re going to see is going to be those leaf tissues will develop what’s called interveinal chlorosis,” Webster explained. “This interveinal chlorosis is where those leaves, the veins on them turn dark green, but in between those leaves, they start to turn yellowish and eventually turn brown. Now the name sudden death is very indicative of what it does. It can kill that plant in a matter of seven days.”

Soybean Condition

USDA rated North Dakota soybeans 1% very poor, 6% poor, 32% fair, 58% good, and 3% excellent for the week that ended Aug. 17.

The 18-state average rating of 2% very poor, 6% poor, 24% fair, 53% good, and 15% excellent over the same time period.

Spring Wheat 

Acreage Estimates

USDA’s acreage report said North Dakota farmers planted 6.19 million acres of spring wheat in 2025. That is down from 6.45 million acres from last year.

Spring Wheat Harvested

USDA noted 24% of spring wheat has headed in North Dakota. This is on track with the five-year average of 25%. Last year at this time 20% of North Dakota spring wheat had headed.

Spring Wheat Condition

USDA rated North Dakota spring wheat as 4% poor, 26% fair, 65% good, and 5% excellent. There was no very poor spring wheat.

The six-state average rating of 4% very poor, 14% poor, 32% fair, 45% good, and 5% excellent.

Barley

Acreage Estimates

The June 30 Acreage report said North Dakota farmers planted 550,000 acres of barley this year, up from 370,000 acres planted in 2024. 

Barley Harvested

Thirty-two percent of North Dakota’s barley crop has harvested so far this year. The five-year average is 34%. Last year at this time, 27% of the state’s crop was harvested.

Barley Condition

USDA rated North Dakota’s barley 1% poor, 26% fair, 67% good, and 6% excellent the week that ended Aug. 17. There was no very poor barley. 

The five-average average rating of 3% very poor, 14% poor, 39% fair, 42% good, and 2% excellent.

Oats

Acreage Estimates

USDA’s acreage report said North Dakota farmers planted 320,000 acres of wheat in 2025. That is up from 280,000 acres from last year.

Oats Harvested

USDA noted 30% of oats have been harvested in North Dakota. This is on track with the five-year average of 29%, but ahead last year’s 22%.

Pasture and Range

USDA rated pasture and range conditions in the state 1% very poor, 5% poor, 26% fair, 61% good, and 7% excellent.

The 48-state average is 11% very poor, 20% poor, 30% fair, 29% good and 10% excellent.