Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today commented on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.  The report is released weekly from April through October.

 “This year’s harvest remains well ahead of average, with more than half of both the corn and soybean crop already out of the field,” Northey said.  “The dry weather has allowed farmers to make quick progress as they seek to get drought damaged crops out in good condition.”

 CROP REPORT

 Dry weather throughout the week allowed Iowa’s farmers to surpass the halfway point in harvesting corn and soybean acres according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office. Soybean harvest advanced 31 percentage points from last week, with northwest Iowa harvesting 38 percent of their crop in just one week. Farmers are getting fall tillage underway.

 There were 6.9 days suitable for fieldwork statewide during the past week. Topsoil moisture levels declined to 57 percent very short, 36 percent short, 7 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture also declined slightly and is now rated 70 percent very short, 26 percent short, 4 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. With row crop harvest more than half complete, fifty-six percent of the State is seeing moderate to heavy grain movement from farm to elevator.

 Fifty-six percent of the corn crop has been harvested for grain or seed, a 19 percentage point increase from last week. Corn harvested is 46 percentage points higher than last year at this time. Moisture content of all corn in the field is estimated at 19 percent while the moisture content of corn being harvested is estimated at 17 percent. Corn lodging is rated at 55 percent none, 28 percent light, 13 percent moderate, and 4 percent heavy. Ear droppage is rated at 65 percent none, 22 percent light, 11 percent moderate, and 2 percent heavy. Corn condition improved slightly and is now rated at 19 percent very poor, 28 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 18 percent good, and 2 percent excellent. Ninety-three percent of Iowa’s soybean fields are dropping leaves, a week ahead of normal. Fifty-four percent of the state’s soybean crop has been harvested, also a week ahead of normal. Soybean lodging is rated at 80 percent none, 16 percent light, 4 percent moderate, and 0 percent heavy. Soybean shattering is rated at 65 percent none, 20 percent light, 12 percent moderate, and 3 percent heavy. Soybean condition improved and is now rated at 11 percent very poor, 20 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 29 percent good, and 3 percent excellent.

 Only twenty-four of Iowa’s pasture and range land is rated in fair or better condition, a slight decrease from last week. Pasture and range condition is rated at 49 percent very poor, 27 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 4 percent good, and 0 percent excellent. Stress on livestock was minimal with no issues reported for this week. Some farmers are moving their cattle to recently harvested corn and soybean fields.