(KIWA Staff Photo)Northwest Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Northwest Iowa experienced another round of rain and colder nights last week as Iowa farmers continued working through a harvest season that remains roughly two weeks behind normal.
The Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for Oct. 12-18 shows farmers statewide had 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork. While favorable conditions allowed harvest activity to increase in some areas, the effects of a historically wet September continue to show progress.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the late-season rainfall delayed harvest and left farmers playing catch-up compared to a typical year.
Corn and Soybean Harvest Trail Average
26% of Iowa’s corn crop had been harvested as of Oct. 18th, trailing the five-year average by 24 percentage points. Soybean harvest reached 57% complete, which was 17 percentage points behind average.
Corn maturity reached 98%, matching the five-year average, while 97% of soybeans were dropping leaves, two percentage points behind normal. Corn condition remained rated 72% good to excellent.
The report’s harvest and crop condition figures are statewide. Separate northwest Iowa harvest totals were not included in the summary.
Topsoil moisture was rated:
- 3% short
- 73% adequate
- 24% surplus
Subsoil moisture was rated:
- 5% short
- 74% adequate
- 21% surplus
Pastures were rated 73% good to excellent.
Rain and Freezing Temperatures Mark Weather Shift
The precipitation map showed rainfall across northwest Iowa, with heavier totals extending into north-central portions of the state. Statewide precipitation averaged 0.86 inch, above the normal 0.62 inch.
Showers moved into western Iowa around midnight heading into Thursday, Oct. 15th, before spreading across much of the state. Cooler weather and strong north winds followed.
By Saturday morning, Oct. 17th, temperatures had fallen below freezing across a wide stretch of northern Iowa for the first time this season. State Climatologist Justin Glisan said the reporting period brought the first widespread frost and freeze to much of the state.
Despite the late-week chill, temperatures averaged above normal. Iowa’s statewide average temperature was 56.9 degrees, 5.4 degrees above normal.
More Harvest Opportunities Ahead
Naig said the forecast should provide farmers with additional opportunities to advance harvest operations and regain some lost ground.
He also encouraged motorists to slow down, remain patient, and watch for farm equipment as harvest activity continues to increase across the state.
