Slow Start for Soybean Harvest, Corn Quality Remains Steady

The USDA's latest crop progress report shows that soybean harvest has been slower than expected. The report, released on September 29, 2026, showed that only 17% of the crop had been harvested by September 27, which is on par with the prior five-year average but lower than trade guesses.

Soybean quality ratings remained steady at 58%, matching analyst expectations. However, corn harvest was also slower than expected, coming in at 18% completion compared to trade guesses of between 18% and 21%. Corn quality held steady at 57%, with 26% rated fair and 17% rated poor or very poor.

The report also showed that winter wheat plantings improved from 17% a week ago to 27% by September 27, which is behind last year's pace of 32% and the prior five-year average of 34%. Physiologically, nearly all (96%) of the corn crop was dented, slightly ahead of the prior five-year average of 95%, while soybean harvest reached 17% completion.