Statewide, Iowa — Farmers used some dry weather to move into full harvest mode last week.
The USDA says five percent of the statewide corn harvest is now complete, which is five days behind last year and one day behind the five-year average. The corn condition remained 64 percent good to excellent condition. The report says seven percent of the soybeans are in the bin. That is four days behind last year and three days behind the average. The soybean condition was rated 62 percent good to excellent.
According to the USDA, as of September 25th, the northwest Iowa district has had 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork. With the very dry conditions we have had here in northwest Iowa, topsoil moisture has rated 26 percent very short, 45 percent short, and 29 percent adequate. The subsoil moisture ratings follow that closely. As for crop progress, 99 percent of corn is dented, 69 percent is mature, and 7 percent of corn has been harvested for grain. Hay, alfalfa, 3rd cutting is 100 percent complete. As for soybeans, 97 percent are coloring, 71 percent have leaves dropping, and 14 percent of soybeans in northwest Iowa have been harvested.
