DES MOINES — Iowa’s corn harvest is underway, but another round of heavy rain has farmers moving more slowly than last year as fields across much of the state remain soaked.
Only 2 percent of Iowa corn had been harvested as of Sunday, September 13, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report. That is one percentage point behind last year.
Farmers had 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, two full days fewer than during the same period in 2025.
“A wet start to September has helped ease drought conditions across western Iowa,” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said. “Another wet week ahead may limit fieldwork across much of the state.”
Naig said farmers will likely use the rain delays to prepare combines and other equipment for the approaching harvest.
The latest report follows another wet stretch that brought relief to Northern Iowa as farmers prepared for harvest.
Corn remains strong but behind schedule
Despite the wet weather, Iowa’s major crops remain in generally strong condition.
Corn condition was rated 76 percent good to excellent, down only slightly from the 77 percent good-to-excellent rating reported earlier in September.
Eighty-nine percent of Iowa corn had reached the dent stage, matching last year’s pace.
However, just 38 percent had reached maturity. That figure is seven percentage points behind last year, helping explain the slow opening to the harvest season.
Iowa soybeans were rated 74 percent good to excellent.
Twenty-two percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, placing the crop 10 percentage points behind last year’s development.
Pasture condition was rated 64 percent good to excellent.
Soil moisture improved considerably. Topsoil moisture was rated 80 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus, while subsoil moisture was 73 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.
Rainfall more than doubles normal total
Iowa received an average of 2.05 inches of rain during the reporting week, more than double the normal weekly amount of 0.84 inch.
State Climatologist Justin Glisan said broad portions of Iowa received between 400 and 600 percent of their normal rainfall.
Slow-moving thunderstorms repeatedly crossed western and central Iowa. Nearly 100 weather stations recorded at least two inches of rain, while almost 20 stations reported more than four inches.
Guthrie Center received 7.76 inches during the week, the highest reported total in Iowa. Des Moines recorded 5.87 inches, Norwalk received 5.21 inches and Corning collected 4.18 inches.
The storms prompted numerous flash-flood warnings and produced damaging winds in Polk County.
Rainfall totals varied dramatically across the state. Nora Springs in Floyd County received only 0.23 inch, the lowest weekly total reported.
That sharp difference helps explain why drought conditions have remained stubborn in portions of Northern Iowa, even as western and central sections were drenched.
Warm weather refuses to leave
The rain was accompanied by unusually warm September temperatures.
Iowa’s statewide average temperature was 71.2 degrees, which was 5.5 degrees warmer than normal. Southern Iowa temperatures averaged six to nine degrees above normal.
Shenandoah reached 100 degrees on September 8, soaring 19 degrees above normal. Spencer Municipal Airport reported the state’s lowest temperature at 44 degrees.
Conditions briefly turned cooler and more comfortable late in the week, with daytime temperatures generally in the 70s and lower 80s.
Another wet week could further delay fieldwork, but the added moisture may continue improving drought conditions ahead of the main corn and soybean harvest.