Iowa farmers are chopping silage and preparing for harvest following one of the hottest first weeks of September on record.
The latest USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report shows farmers had 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 6.
Nearly all of Iowa’s corn has reached the dough stage, while 79% has reached the dent stage. Seventeen percent is mature, seven percentage points behind last year. Corn condition is rated 77% good to excellent.
Six percent of Iowa soybeans are dropping leaves, four percentage points behind last year. The soybean crop is rated 75% good to excellent.
Topsoil moisture is rated 70% adequate and 26% short to very short. Subsoil moisture is rated 68% adequate and 29% short to very short.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says rainfall across parts of northern Iowa helped ease some longer-term moisture shortages. He says forecasts show more seasonal temperatures and improved rain chances as Iowa moves toward the middle of September.
Pasture conditions are rated 64% good to excellent, while the state’s oat harvest is nearly complete.