Southern Plains Corn Condition Varies, Texas Sorghum And Corn Harvest Nears Halfway Mark

Aug 18, 2015

Oklahoma’s corn crop showed some improvement in condition, but maturity continues to lag. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Monday reported the state's corn crop rated 64 percent good to excellent condition, up one point from last week. Sixty-three percent of corn reached the dough stage, down 13 points from the previous year and down 24 points from normal. Soybeans rated 55 percent good to excellent, down one point from last week. The state's cotton crop rated 77 percent good to excellent, unchanged from last week. Cotton setting bolls reached 68 percent, unchanged from average. Sorghum rated 79 percent good to excellent, unchanged from last week. Sorghum headed reached 77 percent with coloring reaching 32 percent. The peanut crop rated 83 percent good to excellent. Pasture and range conditions rated 79 percent good to fair.

Southern Plains Corn Condition Varies, Texas Sorghum and Corn Harvest Nears Halfway Mark

The corn and sorghum harvest in Texas was progressing with high temperatures and dry conditions. USDA reports 39 percent of the sorghum crop has been harvested. That remains behind last year’s 52 and five-year average of 50. Corn harvest progressed to 40 percent complete. That’s ahead of last year and in line with average. USDA reports 56 percent of the state's corn crop was in good to excellent condition. The state’s soybean crop dropped five points since last week with 40 percent of the crop in good to excellent condition. Cotton rated 46 percent good to excellent, down two points from last week. Pasture and range conditions are deteriorating rapidly with 35 percent in good to excellent condition. That’s down seven points from last week and down 17 points in the past two weeks. Click here for the full Texas report.

The Kansas soybean and cotton crop showed improvement since last week. In the latest crop progress report, the Kansas corn crop rated 58 percent good to excellent, down one point from last week. Dough was at 77 percent, equal to last year and near the five-year average. The state's soybean crop rated 55 percent good to excellent, up three points from last week. Blooming was at 86 percent and setting pods was at 61 percent. Sorghum rated 68 percent good to excellent, unchanged from last week.

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Video: Georgia Corn Farmer Breaks Down Costs, Crops & Challenges in 2025 Growing Season

one-on-one interview from the fields of Seminole County, Georgia, corn and soybean grower Greg Mims walks us through the realities of farming in 2025. From planting in March to harvesting for chicken feed, Greg shares how favorable weather conditions helped this year’s crop—but also why rising input costs and low commodity prices continue to challenge profitability.

He also discusses the rotation strategy on his operation, the role of soybeans as a more economical option, and the unique advantages of farming in southwest Georgia thanks to access to the Floridan Aquifer. As president of Seminole County Farm Bureau, Greg also weighs in on the importance of advocacy and Farm Bureau’s voice at both the state and federal level.