(Des Moines, IA) -- Iowa Farmers have harvested nearly one-third of of this year's corn crop. The Iowa Department of Agriculture says more than half of the state's soybean crop has been harvested. Harvest this is about a week ahead of normal.
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service reports Iowa’s farmers had 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 10, 2021.
Ninety-five percent of the corn crop has reached maturity, 8 days ahead of the 5-year average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was 19 percent. Iowa’s corn condition rated 62 percent good to excellent.
Soybeans dropping leaves or beyond reached 96 percent. Soybean condition was rated 63 percent good to excellent.
Harvest for both crops is more than one week ahead of normal.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 12 percent very short, 31 percent short, 55 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 18 percent very short, 36 percent short, 45 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Pasture condition rated 32 percent good to excellent. Overall, livestock were faring well, although conditions varied with some reports of muddy feedlots but also water shortage issues for cattle on pasture.