According to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service report, Iowa’s soybean harvest is nearing completion, and corn isn’t too far behind. Iowa farmers had 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 13. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Warm and dry conditions continued across much of the state last week, providing a window for significant harvest progress. Despite cooler temperatures, mostly dry conditions are expected to persist in the week ahead, allowing harvest activity to steadily roll on. However, outlooks into the second half of October show rainfall potential. As harvest continues, I encourage drivers to be on the lookout for farm machinery on the roads at all hours of the day and night. Please slow down and share the road to keep drivers and farmers safe this fall.” Corn measured at 97 percent mature or beyond, as harvest reached 45 percent complete, three days ahead of last year and six days ahead of the five-year average. Corn conditions rated 76 percent good to excellent. Almost a quarter of the 2024 soybean crop was harvested last week, now at 81 percent complete. That is six days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the average. South central Iowa lags behind the rest of the state, as only about 54 percent of their soybean crop is harvested. Topsoil moisture conditions rated 76 percent short to very short, 24 percent adequate, and no surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 72 percent short to very short, 28 percent adequate, and no surplus. The full report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
