As the 2025 harvest season approaches, Indiana's major crops are developing on schedule, but pest and disease pressures-especially tar spot-are dimming outlooks for both corn and soybeans. Meanwhile, favorable weather has provided growers with over six days of fieldwork per week, giving them a critical window to manage crops.

Weather Conditions and Fieldwork

The week ending August 24 brought 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork, according to USDA's latest Crop Progress report. Topsoil moisture was rated 46% short or very short, and subsoil moisture stood at 46% short or very short, a slight increase in dryness over the previous year.

Ryan Martin, chief meteorologist at Hoosier Ag Today, expects cool, dry weather over Labor Day weekend, followed by a warm front and light precipitation early next week-beneficial for late-season crops but potentially accelerating disease development.

Corn: Progress Steady, Conditions Worsen

Indiana farmers planted 5.4 million acres of corn this year, up from 5.2 million in 2024. Crop development remains on pace:

• 82% of corn has reached the dough stage, matching the five-year average.

• 34% has reached dent stage, also in line with historical norms.

• Just 1% of corn is mature, slightly behind the five-year average of 2%.

However, corn condition ratings are lagging behind national figures. USDA rated Indiana's corn:

• 3% very poor

• 8% poor

• 26% fair

• 52% good

• 11% excellent

That's weaker than the national average of 20% excellent and only 8% combined poor or very poor.

Disease is a mounting concern. Purdue University's Darcy Telenko confirmed the presence of northern corn leaf blight, tar spot, southern rust, and gray leaf spot in 35 counties. Although current environmental conditions may limit the upward spread of tar spot, she warned that could change in the coming weeks.

Soybeans: Pod Setting On Track, Quality Lags

USDA data shows Indiana farmers planted 5.5 million acres of soybeans in 2025-down from 5.8 million the prior year. As of August 24:

• 89% of soybeans are setting pods, matching historical averages.

• Just 2% are dropping leaves, consistent with seasonal trends.

Yet, like corn, soybean condition ratings are trailing the national average:

• 3% very poor

• 7% poor

• 27% fair

• 53% good

• 10% excellent

That compares to the national 15% excellent rating and 8% poor or very poor combined. Telenko also noted the presence of Septoria brown spot in some fields and recommended a data-driven approach to fungicide application, factoring in crop history, disease severity, hybrid susceptibility, and economic return.

Winter Wheat and Pasture Outlook

The USDA reports 320,000 acres of winter wheat were planted in Indiana this year, slightly up from 310,000 in 2024. The entire crop was harvested by August 24.

Pasture and range conditions are mixed:

• 4% very poor

• 11% poor

• 34% fair

• 44% good

• 7% excellent

That's somewhat stronger than the national 48-state average, where 32% of pasture is rated poor or very poor.