With harvest in full swing and markets trending upward, row crop growers across Maryland and southern Pennsylvania have plenty to keep an eye on this week. In his latest appearance on RFD-TV’s Market Day Report, Ben Hushon, The Mill’s Head of Agronomy and Certified Crop Advisor, provided an on-the-ground update from White Hall, Maryland. His key takeaway: strong market movement and steady harvest progress are bringing both optimism and important agronomic reminders for local producers.
In the Field: Favorable Conditions and Steady Progress
“This has been a great stretch of weather,” Ben said. “Combines are still rolling through corn and soybean fields, and a lot of growers have been able to get ahead before the next rain system moves in.”
Across much of the Mid-Atlantic, corn harvest is nearing completion, with moisture levels holding steady and yields ranging from average to above-average depending on planting dates and hybrid selection. The drier stretch in early fall allowed for clean, efficient fieldwork, and soybean harvest is keeping pace as later-maturing varieties reach ideal moisture for cutting.
Markets Show Momentum
While in-field conditions have been ideal, Ben also noted the strength of current row crop markets. Corn, soybeans, and wheat are all showing gains, which is a welcome sign for farmers wrapping up a challenging season of dry weather and fluctuating disease pressure.
“We’ve seen a rally across the row crops,” Ben explained. “Corn and beans are both moving higher, and wheat’s following suit. That’s good news as we move through harvest and look ahead to 2026 planning.”
Wheat Planting and Soil Moisture
In addition to harvest updates, Ben highlighted the ongoing wheat planting season across northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. While recent moisture has helped with germination and emergence, he encouraged growers to monitor soil conditions closely. “The moisture we’ve had is just enough to get wheat up nicely,” he noted. “We could still use another soaking rain to recharge the soil profile heading into winter.”
Action Steps for Growers
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Finish Harvest Efficiently: Prioritize remaining corn or soybean fields with weaker stalks or uneven maturity.
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Evaluate Wheat Stands: Scout for uniform emergence and adjust seeding depth or population if necessary.
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Watch Market Trends: Take advantage of stronger pricing opportunities while maintaining storage quality.
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Plan Ahead for Spring: Use post-harvest downtime for soil sampling, fertility adjustments, and input planning for 2026.
Local Agronomy Support
From harvest logistics to wheat stand evaluations, The Mill’s agronomy team continues to partner with local growers to optimize yield and plan for the next crop cycle.
“If you’re unsure about how to manage late-season decisions or prepare for next spring, our agronomy team is here to help,” Ben said. “We’re out in the fields every day, and we’re always happy to share what we’re seeing.”
Need agronomy support this fall?
Contact The Mill’s Certified Crop Advisors to schedule a field visit or learn more about our scouting, nutrient management, and precision ag services across the Mid-Atlantic region.