DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey commented on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service Monday.
“Combines have started to roll and five percent of corn and seven percent of soybeans have already been harvested. That will likely increase significantly this week as crops continue to dry down. Unfortunately, some areas of Southwest Iowa could be delayed another week or more following heavy rains last week,” Northey said. “With crops coming out it is also great to see cover crops starting to appear across the state.”
Wet conditions in western Iowa kept farmers out of the fields, while warm and dry conditions in the rest of the state marked the beginning of harvest activities for many during the week ending Sept. 27. Statewide there were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork which included cutting hay, chopping silage, harvesting seed corn, corn for grain and soybeans.
Seventy-one percent of the corn crop was percent mature. Five percent of the corn crop for grain has been harvested, a week ahead of last year, but 13 days behind average. Moisture content of all corn being harvested was at 24 percent. Corn condition rated 80 percent good to excellent.
Ninety-two percent of soybeans were turning color or beyond, while 72 percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, two days ahead of normal. Seven percent of the soybean crop has been harvested. Soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent.