Iowa’s 2024 harvest progress more than doubled, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report. For the week ending Oct. 6, farmers had 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork, which focused almost entirely on bringing in the crop. An estimated 31 percent of soybeans were harvested last week, bringing the soybean harvest to 58 percent complete, four days ahead of last year and a week ahead of average. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 93 percent, a day ahead of last year and five days ahead of the average. Soybean conditions were rated 76 percent good to excellent. Progress in the corn harvest was not quite as significant. However, it was still substantial, doubling from 11 percent to 22 percent complete, two days behind last year but a day ahead of normal. Moisture content for corn was 18 percent, and crop conditions were rated 77 percent good to excellent. Persistent dryness heading into the fall remains a concern, as topsoil conditions rated 64 percent short to very short, 46 percent adequate, and no surplus, while subsoil measured 60 percent short to very short, 39 percent adequate, and one percent surplus. The complete report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
