Producers made significant progress over the past week as fall harvest continues, according to the latest USDA Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. Farmers had an average of 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Oct. 9, with activities including harvesting row crops, drilling cover crops, and applying fall fertilizer and manure. Soybean conditions ratings were measured at 62 percent good to excellent as crop harvest reached 55 percent complete, nine days ahead of average. Corn conditions improved to 63 percent good to excellent, with harvest 23 percent complete, three days behind last year but three days ahead of average. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “The persistently dry weather pattern has led to drought expansion in eastern and northern Iowa, but chances of showers this week may supply some much-needed moisture with a significant cool down by the weekend.” Dry and windy conditions also contributed to several recent field fires in the Carroll Broadcasting listening area. Producers are encouraged to take additional precautions to limit the risk of field or equipment catching ablaze. You can find the complete USDA Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report online at nass.usda.gov.
