KHBT — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.
“Farmers made some progress between the showers and rain storms and now 5 percent of corn and 8 percent of soybeans have been harvested. Heavy rains, particularly in northern Iowa, created challenges and significantly slowed harvest progress,” Naig said.
Another week of storms bringing heavy rainfall to much of the state left Iowa farmers just 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 23, 2018, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Nearly all of the corn crop has reached the dent stage or beyond with 74 percent of the crop mature, just over a week ahead of average.
Five percent of the State’s corn for grain crop has been harvested, 5 days ahead of both last year and average. Farmers in southeast Iowa lead the way with almost one-fifth of their corn for grain harvested. Moisture content of field corn being harvested was at 22 percent.
Corn condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of the soybean crop was coloring with 72 percent dropping leaves, 1 week ahead of average.
Eight percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, 5 days ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 72 percent good to excellent.