This week’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that Iowa’s farmers are functionally finished with the soybean harvest and are nearing the end with corn. Iowa farmers had 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 27, which included harvesting row crops, completing fall tillage, and applying fertilizer. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Continued warm temperatures and dry conditions last week allowed for harvest to push forward at a brisk pace. While corn harvest is likely to continue well into November, soybean harvest across Iowa is nearing completion. The extended lack of rainfall has resulted in drought conditions spreading across many areas, but a mid-week system has the potential to bring widespread moisture to much of Iowa. Following what is likely to be one of the driest Octobers on record, weather outlooks for early November are indicating more chances for rainfall.” The soybean harvest was nearly complete at 96 percent. Corn harvested for grain reached 84 percent, almost a week ahead of 2023 and 12 days ahead of the five-year average. South-central Iowa lags behind the rest of the state, with 34 percent of their corn crop yet to be harvested. Topsoil moisture conditions rated 85 percent short to very short, 15 percent adequate, and zero percent surplus. Of note, topsoil moisture rated at least 75 percent short to very short across the entire state. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 80 percent short to very short, 20 percent adequate, and zero percent surplus. Find the full report online at www.nass.usda.gov.
