USDA report on US harvest progress delayed for fourth week due to shutdown

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has not released its weekly Crop Progress report for the fourth week in a row due to the extended government shutdown. This leaves the agricultural sector without official data on the status and pace of harvest throughout October. Such reports are usually a key source of operational information for farmers, traders and analysts.

Despite the lack of official statistics, private estimates show that the U.S. corn harvest by October 26 reached about 72% and soybeans – 84%. This is slightly below last year’s pace, but significantly higher than the average of the past five years. Experts note the rapid progress of work in most regions due to dry weather and low grain moisture.

According to analysts surveyed by Reuters, estimates of the corn harvest rate fluctuate in the range of 67-80% and 80-88% for soybeans. According to the survey, winter wheat planting in the United States is 84% ​​complete, which is in line with the multi-year average.

Agronomists from leading companies working directly in the field confirm the active completion of the harvest. In most production areas, soybean harvesting is almost complete, and corn harvesting rates remain high due to favorable agrometeorological conditions.

The USDA expects to publish four more reports before the harvest is complete, the last of which is scheduled for November 24, 2025. However, further delays due to the government shutdown may complicate the formation of a final estimate of the grain and oilseed crop this year.

Tags: corn, soybean, USA, harvesting