Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig highlighted the strong start to harvest season following the release of the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The weekly report, issued April through November, tracks field conditions, crop maturity, and harvest progress across the state. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship also provides a weather summary during this period.
“Combines are rolling all across Iowa,” said Secretary Naig. “The warm and dry weather is allowing farmers to make good progress on corn and soybean harvest. With the favorable weather expected to hold through next week, farmers should be able to continue making harvest headway, though conditions
may be a bit dusty. As we get a little further into the start of October, outlooks are indicating a possible shift back to more chances of widespread rain.”
According to the report, dry weather created 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 28. Warm temperatures helped speed crop maturity, with farmers across the state focused on corn and soybean harvest.
Soil conditions remain largely adequate. Topsoil moisture was rated 65 percent adequate, with 27 percent rated short to very short and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 70 percent adequate, with 23 percent short to very short and 7 percent surplus.
Corn is advancing steadily, with nearly all of the crop dented or beyond. Eighty percent of corn has reached maturity, running four days ahead of last year and one day ahead of the five-year average. Corn harvest for grain is 15 percent complete, about four days ahead of last year. Moisture content in harvested corn averaged 20 percent. Crop condition was rated 71 percent good to excellent.
Soybeans are also nearing completion in maturity stages. Ninety-five percent of soybeans have turned color, while 83 percent were dropping leaves—both slightly ahead of average. Harvest progress reached 17 percent, trailing last year and the five-year average by three days. Soybean condition was rated 73 percent good to excellent.
Pasture conditions held steady, with 53 percent rated good to excellent.
The full weekly report is available at nass.usda.gov.