Wet conditions across portions of Iowa limited the number of days suitable for fieldwork to just 4.9 during the week ending September 21, 2025, according to the latest report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Despite the damp weather, warm temperatures continued to push crop development forward, allowing both corn and soybean harvests to begin in many areas of the state.
Topsoil moisture levels were reported at 3 percent very short, 18 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture mirrored those numbers closely, with 2 percent very short, 17 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.
Corn progress remains ahead of schedule, with 95 percent of the crop dented or beyond and 66 percent matured—four days ahead of last year and two days ahead of the five-year average. The corn harvest for grain has started, with 8 percent of fields already harvested. Corn condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 19 percent excellent.
Soybeans are also moving quickly toward harvest. Nearly 89 percent of fields are now coloring, and 62 percent are dropping leaves, which is two days ahead of last year and one day ahead of the average pace. Soybean condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 17 percent excellent.
Pasture conditions remain mostly favorable, with 60 percent rated good to excellent.
Producers are keeping a close eye on weather patterns as harvest activity picks up, balancing the benefits of warm temperatures with the challenges of wet soils and limited fieldwork opportunities.