At the peak of summer, drought conditions continue to be a concern across much of our region.

Large portions of western South Dakota remain in moderate to severe drought, while eastern South Dakota is experiencing a mix of severe drought, moderate drought, and abnormally dry conditions.

Southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa are also facing varying levels of dryness, ranging from abnormally dry to moderate drought across many counties.

Despite these weather challenges, crop conditions have generally remained encouraging.

Insuring your success in summer 2026

Corn has continued to develop rapidly and is looking strong across much of the region.

Soybeans got off to a slower start this spring but have rebounded nicely and shown significant growth over the past several weeks.

On the other hand, multiple rounds of severe weather, including hail and high winds, have created setbacks for some producers, adding another layer of uncertainty during the growing season.

According to the USDA Crop Progress Report from July 19, corn conditions across the region were largely rated fair (32%) and good (48%).

Soybean conditions were similarly positive, with 32% rated fair and 51% rated good.

Locally, crops continue to look promising; however, warmer temperatures are on the horizon, making additional timely rainfall increasingly important as the crop moves toward the critical late-summer and fall growing periods.

Will we have an early harvest in 2026?

Another topic beginning to draw attention in the agricultural community is silage harvest.

With persistent heat and limited rainfall in some areas, crop maturity is advancing more quickly than normal, and many producers are anticipating an earlier-than-usual start to silage chopping.

While crop conditions remain generally favorable, continued stress from heat and dry weather could accelerate development even further.

Producers should continue monitoring fields closely and be prepared for harvest timelines that may arrive sooner than expected.

As silage season approaches, producers should also remember the importance of staying in communication with your crop insurance provider.

If corn insured as grain will be harvested for silage, an appraisal must be completed before chopping begins; failing to request an appraisal beforehand could impact crop insurance coverage and potential claim eligibility.

With harvest timelines potentially arriving earlier than normal this year, it is important to contact your crop insurance agent well in advance to ensure all necessary requirements are met before entering the field.

Producers were also reminded of the recent July 15 acreage reporting deadline, an important milestone in the crop insurance process.

Adding a Livestock Risk Protection policy

On the livestock side, cattle markets have experienced a few days of price weakness but continue to hold at historically strong levels.

Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) remains a valuable tool for both cattle and hog producers looking to protect their operations from market volatility.

With agricultural markets remaining unpredictable and a number of uncertainties still ahead, protecting both crop and livestock investments continues to be a wise strategy for managing risk and safeguarding valuable assets.

As we move through the remainder of the growing season, weather and market conditions are key factors to watch.

But, overall, producers have reason to be cautiously optimistic.

If you have questions or would like a quote for LRP, feel free to contact Garret, Darby, or Paul directly. We’re here to support your risk management needs!

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