There are already scattered reports of combines rolling in some parts of the state, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report. For the week ending Sept. 7, Iowa farmers had 6.0 days, on average, suitable for fieldwork, which mostly consisted of cutting and baling hay and corn silage, alongside harvest preparations. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “We’ve heard some initial reports of farmers picking corn this past week in pockets of Iowa. Some early varieties of corn have started to turn quickly due to the dry August. This past week’s cooler weather is expected to give way to some mid-September heat, with temperatures likely climbing back into the upper 80s and low 90s by this weekend.” The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) notes that disease pressure in row crops remained a concern for producers. Ninety-seven percent of the corn crop had reached at least the dough stage, and 80 percent was dented or beyond, five days ahead of last year and equal with the five-year average. With 26 percent of the crop now rated as mature, corn conditions came in at 80 percent good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 98 percent, and coloring or beyond reached 44 percent, two days ahead of last year but a day behind average. Eleven percent of soybeans were dropping leaves. Soybean conditions rated 76 percent good to excellent. Topsoil moisture conditions measured 15 percent short to very short, 75 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. Topsoil conditions were 10 percent short to very short, 79 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus. Read the latest report with this story below or online at nass.usda.gov.
