Iowa producers are keying in on harvest preparations now that the Labor Day holiday has passed and crops edge closer to maturity. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending Sept. 4, producers had an average of 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork as farmers chopped silage and hay, seeded cover crops, and tuned up equipment. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Farmers are keeping a close eye on outlooks in preparation for harvest. With the potential for warm and dry conditions through fall, we need to remain vigilant for potential fire hazards as combines start to roll.” Iowa’s corn crop rating was unchanged from 66 percent good to excellent. Seventy-one percent of corn had reached the dent stage or beyond, three days behind last year but one day ahead of average. An estimated 10 percent of corn had reached maturity. Iowa soybeans also stood at 66 percent good to excellent as coloring surpassed 20 percent. There were also scattered reports of plants dropping leaves. The complete Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report is available online at nass.usda.gov.