As Ohio's 2025 harvest season unfolds, the state's agriculture sector is under mounting pressure. Widespread drought, escalating pest issues, and erratic rainfall patterns are all playing out in what is shaping up to be one of the most challenging crop years in recent memory. The USDA's latest Crop Progress report, released September 22, shows that while corn and soybean development is moving ahead of historical averages, overall crop conditions are deteriorating.

State Climatologist Aaron Wilson confirmed that August 2025 was the driest on record since 1895, and September has offered little relief. Across Ohio, topsoil and subsoil moisture levels are critically low, with more than half the state's topsoil rated "very short". The U.S. Drought Monitor confirms that all of Ohio is experiencing moderate to severe drought, impacting both row crops and pasturelands.

Despite these conditions, fieldwork has continued with an average of 6.8 days suitable for harvest during the week ending September 21. But drought stress is visibly affecting crop quality. The USDA rates Ohio corn at just 5% excellent and 13% poor, while soybeans are at 4% excellent and 15% poor. These figures reflect the impact of sustained dryness and pest pressure, particularly in areas where tar spot in corn and early pod sprouting in soybeans have been reported.

According to the USDA's Acreage Report, Ohio farmers planted 3.2 million acres of corn this year, down 200,000 acres from 2024. While 93% of the corn crop has reached the dent stage and 51% is mature-both ahead of the five-year average-the quality remains inconsistent. Pest alerts are rising, too. Tar spot has been confirmed in nine counties, and Ohio State Extension specialists have noted a sharp increase in fall armyworm moth counts, though these are not expected to affect the 2026 season directly.

Soybeans, meanwhile, cover 4.9 million acres, slightly below last year's total. Still, 10% of the crop has already been harvested, well ahead of the 4% five-year norm. But the timing may not be favorable. Heavy rain following prolonged drought has triggered premature sprouting in pods, particularly in early-planted fields. Ohio State Extension soybean specialist Laura Lindsey emphasized the importance of harvesting as soon as beans reach 13% moisture, warning that further delays may expose crops to fungal pathogens like Diaporthe, Fusarium, and Alternaria. These risks, combined with the fluctuating weather forecast, are pushing farmers to act quickly.

Other areas of Ohio agriculture are also feeling the strain. Only 2% of winter wheat has been planted, slightly behind average, and pasture and range conditions are deteriorating, with 37% rated poor. Compared to the national average, Ohio pastures are in notably worse shape, raising concerns for livestock operations already managing high input costs and tight forage supplies.

The bottom line is clear: the 2025 harvest in Ohio is moving ahead of schedule, but the conditions under which it's occurring are far from ideal. Crop stress is evident, and short-term rain may not be enough to recover lost yield potential. Growers face tough decisions in the weeks ahead-balancing speed with timing, moisture with disease risk, and field readiness with unpredictable weather.

In a year marked by extreme variability, resilience and adaptability remain essential for Ohio's farm economy. With yields hanging in the balance, every day counts.