Both corn and soybean harvests are three-weeks ahead of last year according to the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending Oct. 11. Farmers had nearly a full week, 6.6 days, suitable for fieldwork, which included crop harvesting, baling corn stalks, applying fertilizer and manure and fall tillage. Warm and dry conditions continued across much of the state. “Iowa experienced unusually warm and dry conditions toward the end of last week and into the weekend,” says Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig. “Farmers continue to make good progress in the field as harvest continues across the state.” The corn harvest reached 42 percent, two weeks ahead of the five-year average. Moisture content of field corn is 18 percent and the condition is now rated at 44 percent good to excellent. The soybean harvest is 78 percent complete, also two weeks ahead of the five-year average. The full report can be found at nass.usda.gov/ia.
