Focus is beginning to shift more fully to corn harvest as nearly all of the soybean crop is now out of the field, according to the latest USDA Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. Farmers remained ahead of average with 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 23. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Soybean harvest is beginning to wrap up, and Iowa farmers are making big strides toward finishing corn harvest. While the persistently dry conditions have helped push harvest progress along, moderate drought continues to spread statewide and is now covering nearly half of Iowa.” The corn harvest approached 60 percent complete, one day ahead of last year and eight days ahead of average. However, progress varied dramatically throughout the state. Northeast and south central Iowa were less than halfway through the corn harvest, while northwest Iowa was over 80 percent finished. Corn condition ratings improved slightly to 65 percent good to excellent. Soybean harvest approached 90 percent complete, 11 days ahead of average. The full USDA Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
