Harvest activity across the Midwest is shifting from soybeans to corn as wet field conditions continue to delay the final stages of soybean cutting in parts of South Dakota. Persistent moisture has left many fields too soft for machinery, particularly around the Aberdeen area, where growers are waiting for soils to dry before completing the season’s final runs.
Corn harvest, however, is gaining strong momentum across several states. Combines are now focused primarily on corn, with progress advancing steadily despite variable yields. Fields treated with fungicides are showing notably stronger performance, while those without disease protection have suffered from reduced kernel quality and lower overall production.
The pattern reflects broader regional trends seen across the northern Corn Belt this fall. Above-average rainfall has disrupted harvest schedules for soybeans, while uneven disease pressure particularly from leaf blights and late-season fungal infections has influenced corn outcomes. Growers who invested in proactive crop protection measures have generally reported more consistent results.
Despite the weather-related setbacks, overall harvest progress remains in line with seasonal averages. Improved field conditions expected later in the week may allow remaining soybean acres to be wrapped up quickly, while corn harvest continues to accelerate under favorable temperatures and manageable moisture levels.
The 2025 harvest season in the Upper Midwest is proving to be one of contrasts where timing, disease management, and local weather patterns have determined the difference between average and exceptional yields.
