The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest Crop Progress report, released August 25, 2025, shows that corn conditions remain stable while soybean ratings improved slightly. Meanwhile, winter wheat harvest is almost complete, and spring wheat and oats are moving steadily toward the finish line.
Corn Condition Holds Firm
As of August 24, 83% of corn planted across the top 18 producing states had reached the dough stage, just one point shy of the five-year average of 84%.
Nearly half the crop 44%, had advanced to the dent stage, perfectly aligned with the seasonal benchmark. In addition, 7% of the crop had reached maturity, matching the long-term average pace.
Crop quality ratings remained unchanged from the previous week. USDA data shows 71% of corn is rated good to excellent, 21% is fair, and 8% falls into poor to very poor condition.
These steady ratings come as crop tours in recent weeks projected record yields, even as field conditions vary across regions.
Soybeans Show Modest Gains
Soybean development is progressing in line with historical averages. By August 24, 89% of the crop in the top 18 soybean-growing states had set pods, keeping pace with the five-year trend. About 4% of plants had started dropping leaves, also consistent with normal timing.
Crop conditions showed a slight uptick compared to the week before. USDA reported 69% of soybeans in good to excellent shape, an improvement from 68% the prior week. The share of fields rated fair stood at 23%, while 8% were rated poor to very poor.
Winter Wheat Almost Wrapped Up
The winter wheat harvest is virtually complete across the major producing states. USDA reported that 98% of the crop had been harvested as of August 24, matching the five-year average.
Only a handful of states in the Pacific Northwest, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington, remain in the final stages of harvest.
Spring Wheat Slightly Behind Schedule
In the six leading spring wheat states, 53% of the crop has been harvested. That figure is just one point behind the five-year average of 54%. Crop conditions remain mixed: 49% of spring wheat is rated good to excellent, 33% fair, and 18% poor to very poor.
Oats Track with Seasonal Norms
Oat harvesting is also progressing on schedule. Eighty percent of the crop across the nine leading oat-producing states has been brought in, exactly in line with the five-year average for this stage of the season.
Outlook
The USDA’s report paints a picture of overall stability in U.S. crop conditions as summer winds down. Corn remains strong, soybeans are showing minor improvements, and wheat harvests are largely keeping pace with seasonal averages.
Farmers and markets will continue to watch weather and field reports closely in the coming weeks as crops move toward full maturity and harvest accelerates.
