August came to a close with favorable conditions for Iowa farmers, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Crop Progress and Condition Report. For the week ending Aug. 31, producers had, on average, 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork, focusing primarily on cutting and baling hay. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Iowans enjoyed a gorgeous holiday weekend to wrap up August, with cool and mostly dry weather that was ideal for spending time outdoors. As we start September, many farmers will be busy chopping silage and baling hay, while others are beginning to gear up for harvest. Now is also a great time to plan for seeding cover crops and adding other conservation practices to fields after harvest.” Corn in the dough stage or beyond reached 92 percent, while 63 percent of the corn crop was in the dent stage or beyond, slightly ahead of last year but two days behind the five-year average. Nine percent of the crop has matured. Corn conditions were rated 84 percent good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 95 percent, with 19 percent coloring, one day ahead of 2024’s crop but lagging a day behind average. Soybean conditions were rated 77 percent good to excellent. Moisture conditions remain generally solid, as topsoil measured 10 percent short to very short, 78 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil measured eight percent short to very short, 79 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus. View the full report below or at nass.usda.gov.
USDA: 2025 Crop Ends August Slightly Behind Average But In Great Condition
