Warm and dry weather across Iowa gave farmers favorable conditions to advance harvest during the week of September 22–28, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s latest crop progress and condition report.
As of the reporting period, 17% of the state’s soybean acres and 15% of corn acres had been harvested. Soybean progress was three days behind both last year’s pace and the five-year average, while corn harvest was four days ahead of last year and one day ahead of the average.
Unseasonably warm temperatures, averaging 8.1°F above normal, accelerated crop maturity across the state. By the end of the week, 80% of corn acres had reached maturity, up sharply from 66% the previous week. Soybeans also advanced rapidly, with 83% of acres dropping leaves compared to 62% the week prior.
Crop conditions remained stable, with soybeans rated 55% good and 18% excellent, while corn was rated 53% good and 18% excellent. Despite lower-than-normal precipitation of just 0.41 inch for the week, soil moisture levels were mostly adequate.
Statewide, 65% of topsoil and 70% of subsoil moisture conditions were considered adequate. However, southeastern Iowa showed greater dryness, with only 33% of topsoil moisture rated adequate and 66% reported as short or very short. Central and northern regions of the state had slightly wetter conditions than the state average.
Forecasts from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship indicate less than half an inch of rainfall is expected statewide for the upcoming week, suggesting that farmers will likely continue to make strong progress with harvest.
