Harvest starts in some Iowa fields after another hot, dry week of weather

DES MOINES — Some Iowa farmers have been taking advantage of the recent hot and dry weather and have started harvesting corn and soybeans.

Ag statistician Cody Mortell with the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service Iowa Field Office says farmers had few issues being in the field this past week.   “Iowa experienced hot and dry conditions this week. These conditions allowed Iowa farmers 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 15th. Field activities included chopping corn silage and harvesting corn and soybeans.”

Mortell says corn progress is behind average statewide despite some harvest taking place.   “Corn in the dent stage or beyond reached 85% this week, eight days behind last year and two days behind the five-year average. Corn mature reached 41%, four days behind last year but two days ahead of the average. Corn harvested for grain began this week at 2%. Corn condition was rated 77% good to excellent.” Here in the north-central crop reporting district, 86% of the corn was in the dent stage while 41% was mature.

Mortell says soybean progress is about average.   “Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 72%, three days behind last year but two days ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 31%, three days behind last year. The soybean harvest began this week at 1%. Soybean condition was 77% good to excellent.” Here in north-central Iowa, 79% of soybeans were coloring while 27% had dropped leaves.

You can find the full crop report by clicking here