Harvest Your Independence Tour
Sponsored by Wyffels Hybrids
Profitability is on the line in 2025 as U.S. farmers roll into harvest. With uncertainty around commodity prices, tariffs, trade, and input costs, this fall is one to watch. Earlier this year, Farm Journal tracked planting progress through the “Plant Your Independence Tour.” Now, we’re back on the road for the “Harvest Your Independence Tour,” following 6 Midwestern growers and stopping at a different farm each week. From planter to combine, farm finances hinge on every pass — and in 2025, every load counts.
Harvest Your Independence Tour
Mike Madsen’s corn yields at harvest are 20 to 30 bushels over his actual production history (APH), with even the early maturities exceeding expectations.
Corn and soybean harvest is advancing rapidly, thanks to the weather helping crops dry down and opening windows for crews to get into the field.
After a season that started strong and steady, Iowa farmers are facing disappointing corn yields as southern rust and heavy summer rains take a bite out of what could have been record crops.
At the Reints farm in northeast Iowa, corn yields have been running higher than last year, but a lot of yield potential was left in the field due to disease, specifically a rare strain of southern rust.
Corn harvest is just getting started for Rod Parkinson in Wataga, Ill., but early indications show fungicides kept disease pressure down and yields are holding steady.
It’s not disease hurting the Illinois corn and soybean crop this year. It’s dryness and drought. Ashland, Ill., farmer Brent Johnson says just two weeks into harvest, the dry finish to summer is eating into both his corn and soybean yields.
Plant Your Independence Tour
Spotty spring rains have slowed planting in southwest Iowa, leaving farmers slightly behind. Despite delays, strong planning, good moisture, and a favorable forecast has Pat Sheldon optimistic for the 2026 crop season.
Former NFL player Cody White applies his athletic experience on the field to rising input costs and market volatility in DeWitt County, Illinois.
The nation’s corn crop is currently 11% planted, sitting 2 points ahead of the five-year average. Although many Illinois farmers are waiting to plant because of wet conditions, much of the latest national crop progress comes from Illinois and Indiana.
Matt McCarthy just started planting this week. He kicks off our Plant Your Independence Tour. Our team will follow 6 Midwestern growers through the planting season and make a stop at a different farm each week.
According to USDA’s latest Crop Progress Report, 74% of the Illinois corn crop is planted, which is three points behind average, but a 20-point jump in just a week. Illinois farmer Brent Johnson says his May planted corn has been his best yielding corn the past few years.
2025 has been a record setting planting season for Mike Madsen and many farmers in Southern Minnesota.
Farmers are poised to climb past the halfway point this week following a slowdown in progress while Illinois planting remains behind the 5-year average.
Despite wet weather, farmers are making serious progress with planting. Here’s an update on how the season is shaping up in Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Shell Rock, Iowa, farmer Jeff Reints started planting corn on April 8 — the earliest ever on his farm. He got 50% of his corn and soybeans in the ground before 3 inches of rain parked the planters.
Could 2025 set a new record for planting pace in Iowa? Ogden, Iowa farmers Ward and Bryant Hunter say they’ll finish planting corn on Thursday – marking the earliest finish ever on their farm.