Iowa farmers had 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week as wet weather continued to improve soil moisture across the state.
According to the latest USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report, 89% of Iowa’s corn has reached the dent stage, while 38% is mature. Corn maturity is running seven percentage points behind last year. About 2% of the crop has been harvested, and 76% of Iowa corn is rated in good to excellent condition.
Soybean development is also running behind last year. Twenty-two percent of soybeans are dropping leaves, 10 percentage points behind last year. The soybean crop is rated 74% good to excellent.
Pastures are rated 64% good to excellent.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the wet start to September has helped ease drought conditions in western Iowa. With another wet week expected, Naig says fieldwork could be limited, giving farmers time to prepare equipment and complete other work ahead of harvest.
Statewide, 80% of topsoil moisture and 73% of subsoil moisture is now rated adequate.