March 28, 2024

Ag secretary: Wet fields could delay harvest

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recently commented on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.

“Much of the state remains very wet and that could delay harvest as farmers wait for fields to dry. With 52 percent of the corn crop now mature, farmers will be anxious to start harvesting when conditions allow,” Northey said.

Another week of rain and storms kept producers out of the fields much of the week ending Sept. 18, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were only 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork, but farmers in east central and southeast Iowa had over five days suitable. Activities for the week included chopping corn for silage, seed corn harvest, manure application and cutting hay.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 3 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. Reporters in the northern third of Iowa noted some fields with standing water.

Ninety-five percent of the corn crop reached the dent stage or beyond, three days ahead of the five-year average. Crops are maturing rapidly with 52 percent of corn at the mature stage, three days ahead of last year. There were scattered reports of corn for grain being harvested.

Corn condition rated 83 percent good to excellent. Eighty-two percent of soybeans were turning color, two days ahead of last year’s pace. Forty-six percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, four days ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 81 percent good to excellent.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 95 percent complete, two weeks ahead of last year. However, the precipitation made it difficult for some producers to make dry hay.

Pasture condition rated 66 percent good to excellent. While moderate temperatures were beneficial for livestock conditions, heavy rains were causing muddy feedlots.