Soybean Harvest Nearing Completion; Corn Harvest Almost Half Done

Statewide Iowa — Harvest continues in the Hawkeye State. The weekly crop report from the USDA tells us the soybean harvest is nearing completion on a statewide basis and farmers have a good start harvesting corn.

The crop report says that despite measurable precipitation across Iowa, harvest continued as farmers had 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 17, 2021, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities continued to include harvesting soybeans and corn, fall tillage and applying fertilizer.

Topsoil moisture levels rated eight percent very short, 34 percent short, 57 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 16 percent very short, 38 percent short, 46 percent adequate, and zero percent surplus.

Virtually all of Iowa’s corn crop has reached maturity. Forty-three percent of corn for grain has been harvested, one week ahead of the five-year average. The moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was 18 percent. Iowa’s corn condition rated 63 percent good to excellent.

Despite the rain showers, soybean harvest reached 70 percent, one week ahead of the five-year average. Producers in south-central Iowa have over half their soybean crop remaining to be harvested while producers in all other districts have at least 52 percent already harvested.

Pasture condition rated 30 percent good to excellent. No unusual conditions for livestock were reported.

Here in northwest Iowa, there were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork in the last week. Topsoil moisture is improving with one percent very short, 26 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus in northwest Iowa. The subsoil moisture is three percent very short, 36 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and one percent surplus.

Northwest Iowa combines have been busy. The crop report says 80 percent of our soybeans had been harvested as of Friday, and 46 percent of our corn.

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