The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress report for the week ending September 14, 2025, confirms that the soybean harvest has officially begun, with 5% of the crop harvested across 11 key soybean-producing states. This progress is 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average, indicating a timely start despite recent challenges in field conditions.

Meanwhile, 41% of the soybean crop in the top 18 states has reached the dropping leaves stage, which also puts it slightly ahead of the 40% five-year average. However, the quality of the crop has declined modestly. Only 63% of soybeans are rated good to excellent, down one point from the previous week. The remainder falls into 26% fair and 11% poor to very poor.

Corn is progressing at a steady pace. Eighty-five percent of the crop across the 18 top corn-producing states has reached the dent stage, just a single point below the five-year average. Maturity levels are holding at 41%, which is consistent with the seasonal norm. Harvest has started in a limited number of fields, with 7% of the corn crop harvested across 11 states - the same pace as the five-year average, but slightly behind last year's 8%.

The corn crop's overall condition also weakened, with 67% rated good to excellent, a drop of one point from the previous week. Twenty-four percent is now rated as fair, and 9% is considered poor or very poor. This dip reflects increasing pressure from late-season weather variability, disease pressure, and input cost volatility that has plagued much of the Corn Belt this year.

On the wheat front, winter wheat planting is lagging. As of September 14, only 11% of the 2026 winter wheat crop has been planted across 16 of the top 18 states, which is 2 points behind the five-year average. Farmers in these regions are facing tight planting windows as they juggle between finishing summer harvests and prepping for fall seeding. Moisture availability and soil conditions will be key factors over the coming weeks.

In contrast, spring wheat harvest is nearly complete, with 94% harvested across the six key spring wheat-producing states. This is slightly ahead of the 92% five-year average, providing some relief and predictability in an otherwise volatile grain market.

The oat harvest is also nearing completion. Ninety-five percent of the crop has been harvested across the nine major oat-producing states, though this is 3 points behind the five-year average. Delays in oat harvest have been largely localized and driven by scattered rains and logistical constraints.

The implications of this data are significant. A timely soybean harvest provides growers a better window to manage drying costs and maximize grain quality, but the drop in crop condition ratings is concerning. Similarly, corn producers are walking a tight line - with yields largely dependent on the weather outlook through the rest of September.

Delayed winter wheat planting could push some acreage out of optimal seeding windows, which may reduce stand quality and winter survival rates. In areas where spring wheat and oats are nearly done, attention is shifting toward storage logistics, grain pricing, and fall field prep.

With grain markets responding to USDA supply outlooks, commodity prices, and export trends, farmers and agribusinesses will need to closely monitor weekly updates to adapt their strategies.

Input costs, crop insurance benchmarks, and USDA support programs will all play key roles in determining profitability this fall. The next few weeks will be critical as harvest ramps up across the Midwest, and field conditions evolve rapidly.

All eyes remain on the weather, yield trends, and market signals as U.S. agriculture transitions into the final stages of the 2025 growing season.