What’s Happening With Pennsylvania Crops?

USDA published the latest Crop Progress report on Monday, Aug. 4. Here’s a closer look at recent weather and the status of Pennsylvania’s most important crops in early August.

Weather

Arthur Person, associate research professor in the Penn State Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science said in a PennState Extension article that rainfall amounts have been steadily diminishing over the past couple of months, and despite some spotty upcoming showers, the overall weather pattern looks pretty dry — recent rainfall has been well below normal. 

“Soil moisture conditions vary from dry in southeastern, central, and Lake Erie areas to adequate elsewhere, but rainfall amounts and coverage next week will be important in determining whether soil moisture conditions will improve or worsen,” Person said.

He said longer term, temperatures and precipitation are expected to average near normal for August and September.

In Monday’s Crop Progress report, USDA said farmers had 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork the week that ended Aug. 3, compared to 5.5 days this time last year.

USDA rated Pennsylvania topsoil moisture 15% very short, 11% short, 74% adequate, and no surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions in the state were rated 13% very short, 2% short, 82% adequate, and 3% surplus.

Corn

Acreage Estimates

According to the June 30 Acreage report, Pennsylvania farmers planted 1.0 million acres of corn in 2025. This is up about 10,000 acres from the previous year, said USDA.

Pest and Disease Pressure

The Crop Protection Network shows there are nine positive tar spot cases so far in central and eastern counties. These counties have been affected:

• Berks County — reported June 27
• Snyder County — reported June 30
• Lancaster County — reported July 1
• York County — reported July 1
• Northampton County — reported July 10
• Juniata County — reported July 17
• Union County — reported July 17
• Monroe County — reported July 28
• Huntingdon County — reported Aug. 4

Heather Grab, Penn State assistant professor, reported in an Aug. 6 Pestwatch Report that corn earworm was detected in all but one of the 19 reporting sites across Pennsylvania, though statewide counts are generally low. This puts most of the state in a five- to six-day spray interval, she says. 

She said trap catches are expected to rise sharply as field corn silks dry down and southern moth migrations begin to increase.

“With current pressure still low, now is an excellent time to conserve and support natural enemies that help control corn earworm and other pests. You can do this by following spray intervals based on trap counts to avoid unnecessary applications and choosing insecticides that are less harmful to beneficial insects. Now is a good time to plan for spray rotations in anticipation of higher counts in the coming weeks,” she recommended. 

Fall armyworm numbers are low and stable. 

Silking Progress

USDA reported that 67% of Pennsylvania’s corn crop has reached the silk growth stage. That is slightly better than the five-year average of 60%. Last year at this time 58% of the state’s corn had reached the silk growth stage.

Corn Dough

Twenty-seven percent of Pennsylvania corn has achieved dough stage, far ahead of the 10% five-year average. Only 6% had reached this stage this time last year. 

Corn Condition

USDA rated Pennsylvania corn 1% very poor, 5% poor, 17% fair, 55% good, and 22% excellent for the week that ended Aug. 3.

The 18-state average rating is 2% very poor, 5% poor, 20% fair, 53% good, and 20% excellent.

Oats

Acreage Estimates

USDA’s acreage report said Pennsylvania farmers planted 65,000 acres of wheat in 2025. That is down from 74,000 acres from last year.

Oats Harvested

USDA noted 57% of oats have been harvested in Pennsylvania. This is ahead the five-year average of 30%, and ahead of last year’s 27%.

Oats Condition

USDA rated Pennsylvania oats 1% poor, 27% fair, 70% good, and 2% excellent for the week that ended Aug. 3. There were none rated as very poor.

The nine-state average ratings are 8% very poor, 10% poor, 24% fair, 49% good, and 9% excellent over the same time period.

Pasture and Range

Acreage Estimates

USDA’s acreage report said Pennsylvania farmers planted 1.14 million acres of hay in 2025. That is down from 1.16 million acres from last year. 

Pasture and Range Condition

USDA rated pasture and range conditions in the state 2% very poor, 6% poor, 11% fair, 74% good, and 76% excellent. 

The 48-state average ratings are 10% very poor, 16% poor, 30% fair, 33% good, and 11% excellent over the same time period.