The Pro Farmer crop tour reported Ohio's corn production potential at its highest in more than two decades, with scouts estimating yields at 185.69 bushels per acre (bpa). The figure surpasses both the 2024 tour average of 183.29 bpa and the three-year average of 180.47 bpa, making it the highest Ohio estimate since records began in 2003, according to tour data analyst Emily Carolan.

However, optimism is tempered by dry conditions in Ohio fields, where cracks in the soil are becoming more visible. "The crop looked pretty good, but it's drying out," said Lane Akre, an economist leading the tour's eastern route. "We will need additional rains to push this crop to the finish line."

Soybean development also appears strong in Ohio. The tour counted an average of 1,287.28 pods per 3-by-3-foot square, above last year's 1,229.93 and the three-year average of 1,204.83 pods. While yield estimates are not part of the tour, pod counts suggest a promising outlook.

In contrast, South Dakota showcased the strongest yield potential since 2020, with scouts projecting 174.18 bpa for corn-well above 2024's 156.51 bpa and the three-year average of 144.13 bpa. Soybean counts also impressed, averaging 1,188.45 pods per 3-by-3-foot square, the state's highest since 2020 and well above both last year's and the three-year averages.

Scouts reported encountering mud in South Dakota fields, evidence of ample soil moisture that could sustain crops through the late season. "That moisture will carry the crop a long way," said Sherman Newlin, an analyst with Risk Management Commodities participating in the tour.

The crop tour results arrive as grain traders monitor whether the findings support the USDA's August forecast for a record-large U.S. corn crop. That forecast initially pressured December corn futures to contract lows before markets steadied.

With harvest just weeks away, Ohio faces uncertainty tied to rainfall deficits, while South Dakota looks poised for one of its most productive seasons in recent years.