According to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, the fall harvest remains on track to finish ahead of normal. Iowa farmers had, on average, 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Oct. 1. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “With an assist from a burst of summer-like weather, combines are rolling across Iowa. Despite cooler temperatures arriving later this week, forecasts show mostly dry conditions through early October, which should allow harvest to continue at a steady pace.” Corn maturity reached 92 percent this week, eight days ahead of last year and 13 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn harvested for grain topped 16 percent, four days ahead of last year and the average. The moisture content of the corn being harvested was at 20 percent. Corn conditions improved to 51 percent good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 87 percent this week, five days ahead of last year and the average. The soybean harvest reached 24 percent complete, a day ahead of last year and even with the norm. Soybean conditions improved to 49 percent good to excellent. Topsoil moisture conditions measured 73 percent short to very short, 26 percent adequate, and one percent surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 79 percent short to very short, 20 percent adequate, and one percent surplus. The complete USDA report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
Summerlike Conditions Push Harvest Along In USDA Report
