Average rainfall statewide still left Iowa farmers with 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 11, 2022, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included chopping corn, harvesting corn for seed, cutting hay, and seeding cover crops. Producers were also preparing equipment for harvest.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 16 percent very short, 29 percent short, 54 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 19 percent very short, 32 percent short, 48 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Corn in the dough stage or beyond was 98 percent, 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Eighty-four percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dent stage or beyond, 1 day behind last year. Twenty-three percent of the State’s corn crop was mature, 2 days behind last year and 1 day behind the 5-year average. Corn condition fell 3 percentage points to 63 percent good to excellent.
With virtually all soybeans setting pods, 48 percent have reached coloring or beyond, 4 days behind last year and 2 days behind the 5-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves were at 9 percent, 1 week behind last year and 5 days behind the average. Soybean condition dropped 3 percentage points to 63 percent good to excellent.
Eighty-seven percent of the State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay was complete. Pasture condition remained 32 percent good to excellent. Some producers were feeding cattle high moisture corn and hay.