The 2023 soybean harvest surpassed the halfway point in this week’s U.S. Department of Agriculture Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. Farmers had an average of 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 8, and it was full steam ahead in the corn and soybean fields. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Harvest is in full swing. Warmer temperatures and mostly dry conditions across the state allowed for significant harvest progress in the past week. Forecasts are highlighting the chances of widespread rainfall statewide this week, potentially keeping combines out of the fields for a few days.” Soybean harvest reached 52 percent, one day ahead of last year and a week ahead of average, marking a respectable 28-percent jump from the prior report. Soybeans dropping leaves hit 94 percent, three days ahead of last year and five days ahead of the norm. Soybean conditions rated 48 percent good to excellent. Corn harvest pushed to 30 percent statewide, five days ahead of last year and six days ahead of average. Corn maturity was 96 percent this week, eight days ahead of 2022 and 11 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn conditions dipped slightly to 48 percent good to excellent. Topsoil moisture conditions rated 76 percent short to very short, 23 percent adequate, and one percent surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 80 percent short to very short, 19 percent adequate, and one percent surplus. The complete report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
