Mid-October has arrived across the Hoosier State, bringing crisp morning air, dust trailing behind combine headers, and a stark contrast in field progress. According to the latest USDA Crop Progress Report released Oct. 13, 2026, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Indiana producers are matching historical strides on soybean harvest while navigating a slower-maturing corn crop.
Across the state, row-crop operators have spent the past seven days capitalizing on dry windows, pushing soybean harvest to 44% complete. That puts Hoosier farmers right on track with their five-year average of 43% for mid-October, surging 17 percentage points ahead of the previous week’s 27%.
The national picture tells a similar story of rapid autumn progress. Across the 18 major producing states, 46% of the U.S. soybean crop is in the bin, lagging slightly behind the five-year average of 50%, but making a massive 21-point jump in a single week.
Corn Harvest Matches Average, but Maturity Lags Behind
While combines are making quick work of Indiana’s soybean fields, the state’s corn crop continues to take its time crossing the finish line.
USDA reports 89% of Indiana corn is mature, up from 77% the prior week. While substantial, that figure trails the state’s five-year average of 90%. Statewide, corn harvested reached 34%, perfectly aligning with Indiana’s five-year average of 34% and jumping 13 points in a week.
Nationally, maturity reached 91%, matching the 2021–2025 five-year average. However, overall U.S. corn harvest progress stands at 33%, running six percentage points behind the national five-year benchmark of 39%. Neighboring states like Iowa (14% harvested vs. 34% average) and Michigan (4% harvested vs. 22% average) are dragging the national pace lower as late-season moisture keeps grain moisture levels high.
Condition Ratings Hold Steady as Crop Comes Home
Despite delays in maturity, crop quality remains solid across Indiana, outperforming national baseline conditions.
| Crop & Region | Very Poor | Poor | Fair | Good | Excellent | Combined Good / Excellent |
| Indiana Corn | 3% | 6% | 27% | 56% | 8% | 64% |
| U.S. Corn | 5% | 12% | 27% | 44% | 12% | 56% |
| Indiana Soybeans | 3% | 6% | 27% | 54% | 10% | 64% |
| U.S. Soybeans | 4% | 10% | 29% | 46% | 11% | 57% |
Indiana corn rated in the Good-to-Excellent category held firm at 64% (56% good, 8% excellent). That sits 8 percentage points above the national average of 56% good-to-excellent.
Indiana’s soybean condition mirrored corn almost identically, sitting at 64% Good-to-Excellent (54% good, 10% excellent), holding steady from the previous week and besting the 18-state national combined rating of 57%.
Leaf Drop Signals Final Stretch for Beans
For producers waiting on fields to turn, leaf drop ratings indicate the harvest window will remain wide open through late October.
-
Indiana Soybeans Dropping Leaves: Reached 93%, closing in on the five-year average of 95%.
-
U.S. Soybeans Dropping Leaves: Stand at 92%, compared to the national five-year average of 94%.
With 93% of Indiana beans past leaf drop and late-season conditions staying stable, grain bins across the state will continue to fill rapidly. The primary challenge for Indiana growers through the remainder of October will be balancing grain moisture dockage on slow-drying corn against the urge to clear fields before late-autumn weather systems settle into the Corn Belt.
