Iowa had one of its hottest starts to September on record, according to State Climatologists. The statewide average weekly temperature was recorded at 79.8 degrees Fahrenheit which was more than 11 degrees above normal for the week. The National Weather Service reports that the hottest September on record in Iowa was in 1939, with triple-digit high temperatures on September 3, 6, and 7.
According to U.S. Department of Agriculture, there were no reports of harvested corn during the Aug. 31 through Sept. 6 reporting period, though corn maturity reached 17%. The percent of corn acres in this stage is behind last year’s crop by 7 percentage points and 2 percentage points behind the five-year average.
Iowa’s corn crop continues to rate well, with 77% of the crop rated good or excellent, according to USDA. Soybeans also rated well for the period – 75% good to excellent – and the crop was behind last year’s pace, with a reported 6% of soybeans dropping leaves as of the reporting period.