USDA’s latest Crop Progress report put U.S. corn rated good or excellent at 54% for the week ending October 4, 2026, down 3 percentage points from 57% the week before. Corn harvest reached 23% complete, still below its 27% five-year average. The report records these changes but does not identify a cause for the lower condition rating.
How much did corn condition decline?
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported that 54% of corn was rated good or excellent for the week ending October 4, 2026, compared with 57% in the preceding week. That is a decline of 3 percentage points—not a 3% decline.
The combined figure adds the “good” and “excellent” categories. NASS reported this full condition distribution:
| Condition category | Share of corn |
|---|---|
| Very poor | 6% |
| Poor | 12% |
| Fair | 28% |
| Good | 42% |
| Excellent | 12% |
The underlying USDA weekly report is available in the Crop Progress report for October 5, 2026.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- GROW THE SWEETEST, MOST TENDER HEIRLOOM CORN - Each packet contains 100 seeds of Golden Bantam corn (Zea mays). This cherished variety is known for its exceptional flavor and reliable harvests. Perfect for home gardeners seeking authentic, time-tested varieties.
- SWEET CORN SEEDS FOR BEGINNERS & PROS. These vegetable seeds for planting outdoors are ideal for all skill levels. Hardy and adaptable, they thrive in full sun and a variety of soils. With low-maintenance care, enjoy growing your own corn seeds from a trusted heirloom variety loved for its sweet, tender kernels.
- PERFECT FOR MOST REGIONS – COOL CLIMATE FRIENDLY. Designed to grow in USDA zones 3-11, these corn seeds are resilient and adapt to temperatures from 65°F to 95°F. Direct sow seeds outdoors for best results—no transplanting needed. Your garden will be filled with tall, healthy stalks reaching up to 6 feet.
- MATURES EARLY FOR QUICK HARVESTS. Enjoy a bountiful crop in just 75-80 days. Each Golden Bantam stalk produces 1-2 ears of corn with 8-12 kernel rows. Perfect for backyard gardens or homesteads, it’s a reliable, fast-growing option to maximize your gardening efforts.
- VERSATILE CULINARY USES – FRESH OR PRESERVED. Grill, boil, or add to recipes like chowder, cornbread, and salsa. These sweet corn seeds yield kernels that freeze, can, or dry well, letting you enjoy homegrown corn all year round. A perfect addition for both fresh meals and long-term storage.
What do harvest and maturity figures show?
Harvest progress moved forward as condition ratings weakened, but the figures measure different things. NASS reported 23% of corn harvested, up from 18% the prior week. The 2021–2025 average for this point in the season was 27%, so harvest was 4 percentage points behind that average. Corn maturity was 83%, equal to its 2021–2025 average of 83%.
These figures describe concurrent crop progress; they do not show that harvesting caused the change in condition ratings.
Rank #2
- 🌱 4 PREMIUM VARIETIES & 200+ SEEDS - HEIRLOOM: Begin your abundant harvest with over 200 seeds from 4 cherished corn varieties. This assortment features beloved types like Cream Sweet Corn, Golden Bantam Corn, Silver Queen Sweet Corn, and the stunning Glass Gem Corn. Every seed is rigorously germination-tested to ensure your family enjoys a successful and rewarding growing cycle.
- 🥦 GROW FRESH & FLAVORFUL - GARDEN FAVORITES: Enjoy homegrown sweetness and color right from your backyard! Chosen for their reliability and superb taste, these 4 varieties are perfect for both new and experienced gardeners. Pick your own sweet corn for the table or spectacular ornamental corn for decoration.
- 🌽 VERSATILE CULINARY USES – FRESH OR PRESERVED: Barbecue, boil, roast, or incorporate into favorites like corn chowder, salads, salsas, and homemade cornbread. These sweet and ornamental corn varieties produce ears that can be frozen, canned, or dried with ease, allowing you to savor the taste of homegrown corn through every cycle. A perfect choice for both daily meals and lasting pantry storage.
- 🌱 DISEASE-RESISTANT & EASY TO GROW: Chosen for strong performance in diverse conditions, these varieties show good tolerance to common corn ailments such as leaf blight and rust. While occasional pests like corn earworm may require attention, their overall hardiness and low-maintenance nature make them a reliable, hassle-free option for gardeners of all levels.
- 🎁 THE PERFECT GIFT FOR EVERY GROWER: Beautifully packaged and ready to give! This kit is a thoughtful and unique present for any occasion—an ideal gift for mothers, friends, family, or anyone who loves gardening, homegrown flavors, and sustainable living. Give the joy of a bountiful and rewarding gardening journey.
Why did the rating fall?
The October 5 report does not attribute the decline to weather, disease, harvest, or another factor. It reports surveyed condition estimates and compares them with the prior week; the figures alone do not establish why ratings changed.
Condition ratings are not a yield estimate or a production forecast. NASS explains that survey reporters estimate the share of a crop in five categories, from very poor to excellent, and respond as of Sunday. Its Crop Progress and Conditions survey guidance describes the method.
Rank #3
- Beautiful - Large premium packet of Bantam Sweet Corn seeds (Zea mays). Open-pollinated heirlooms produce two or more ears of sweet golden corn per stalk. Each ear has 8 rows of golden kernels. Minimum of 13g per packet (about 50 seeds).
- Productive - Sweet corn germinates in 7-14 days when soil temps are 65-75°F. Plant 1” deep and space 6-8” apart in an area with full sun. This variety will grow 20-24” tall with a spread of 6-12”. Corn will mature in 60-100 days, plant in USDA zones 5-7.
- Good Eats - The beautiful golden kernels are tender and have a sweet old-fashioned flavor. Delicious as a side or in recipes.
- Easy to Grow - Instructions included on each packet. Plus, we are available to answer all your questions. If these seeds don’t germinate, we will happily make it right for you.
- Safe and Sustainable - Sow Right Seeds has taken the Safe Seed Pledge to sell only fresh Non-GMO heirloom seeds for you and your family. Like your garden, we run on sunshine from our solar panels.
How broad is the condition survey?
The condition summary covers 18 selected states that planted 91% of 2025 corn acreage. It represents broad coverage, but it is not a census of every U.S. corn acre. NASS describes the weekly Crop Progress publication as covering crop development, activities, and condition; the data may also be republished with revisions in the Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Heirloom Sweet Corn Flavor: Golden Bantam sweet corn seeds produce 6–7" ears with golden-yellow kernels in 75–80 days. Ideal vegetable garden seeds in home garden beds.
- Non GMO Corn Seeds: Open-pollinated heirloom corn seed with reliable 7–14 day germination. Great sweet corn seeds for planting bulk in outdoor vegetable garden.
- Strong Upright Corn Plant: Amazon corn sweet grows 5–6 ft tall with 1–2 ears per stalk. Plant corn seed 1" deep, space gardening seeds 6" apart for healthy corn plant live, making corn fresh or sweet corn frozen, a delightful addition to any garden or dinner plate.
- Fast Growing Yellow Corn: Early Golden Bantam corn seeds mature quickly in main season. These vegetable plants & seeds require full sun and consistent moisture for premium sweet yellow corn harvest. Perfect vegetable seeds for planting outdoors.
- Perfect for Home Garden: Heirloom corn seeds for planting home garden perform best in blocks for pollination. Suitable heirloom seeds for Zones 3–10 and outdoor garden beds.
Rank #4
- Hybrid Variety: Peaches & Cream Sweet Corn is a hybrid, sugary-enhanced (SE) bicolor variety known for its combination of yellow and white kernels, offering a dual flavor experience in each bite.
- Early Maturity: This corn variety matures relatively early, with some sources indicating a harvest time around 80 to 90 days after planting, making it suitable for regions with shorter growing seasons.
- Planting Tips: For optimal pollination and yield, plant in blocks rather than single rows, ensuring at least four rows for proper cross-pollination. Seeds should be planted when soil temperatures reach 60°F or above for good germination.
- Flavor and Texture: Noted for its sweetness and tenderness, Peaches & Cream corn is praised for its fine texture and rich flavor, which can be enjoyed fresh, frozen, or cooked, making it versatile for various culinary uses.
- Quality: All Sweet Corn seeds packaged by Seed Needs are intended for the current and the following growing seasons. All seeds are stored in a temperature controlled facility that is free of significant amounts of moisture.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
