Photo: Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
(Des Moines, IA) -- Many of Iowa's farmers are getting close to finishing the harvest season.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report shows Iowa's corn harvest is 77% complete and the soybean harvest reaches 94%.
"The widespread and badly needed rain during the last week did very little to slow down corn and soybean harvest, which continues at a pace well ahead of the five-year average," said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.
This year's average farmer is harvesting faster than the average pace, as the corn harvest is 9 days ahead and soybean is 10 days ahead of the average. The corn harvest is lagging in northeast and south central Iowa, where nearly 60% of their crops are complete.
The report says continued dry conditions are slowing some farmers down. Nearly 70% of topsoil and subsoil moisture was rated short or very short in the report. Pasture conditions were rated 25% good to excellent.