DES MOINES — Iowa farmers are making up lost ground after weeks of heavy rainfall disrupted the fall harvest, but the latest agricultural figures reveal just how far behind the state’s two biggest crops remain as October moves toward its midpoint.
Only 14 percent of Iowa’s corn crop and 31 percent of its soybean crop had been harvested as of Sunday, October 11, according to the USDA’s latest Crop Progress and Condition Report, released Tuesday, October 13.
Corn harvesting is running 20 percentage points behind the five-year average, while the soybean harvest trails by 28 percentage points. The delays come despite generally healthy crops and warm, mostly dry weather that allowed combines to return to fields.
“Harvest is in full swing across Iowa but farmers are continuing to battle wet field conditions following one of the wettest Septembers on record,” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said.
“Farmers took advantage of last week’s warm, mostly dry weather to get combines rolling and make significant harvest progress. With more favorable weather in the forecast, we expect another busy week as farmers keep combines moving, seed cover crops and tackle other fall farm work.”
Iowa harvest remains far behind normal
The latest statewide report showed 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 11. Based on the reported gaps, Iowa’s five-year harvest averages at this point are 34 percent for corn and 59 percent for soybeans.
As NorthIowaToday.com reported September 28, heavy rainfall had slowed harvesting sharply. This week’s relatively dry conditions gave farmers a better opportunity to catch up.
Corn largely mature, but combines have work ahead
Ninety-five percent of Iowa corn had reached maturity, on par with the five-year average, while 71 percent of the crop was rated good to excellent.
Meanwhile, 94 percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, two percentage points behind average. Soybean condition was rated 69 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition stood at 72 percent good to excellent.
The figures indicate that the bigger statewide obstacle is completing harvest operations rather than waiting for crops to reach maturity.
Northern Iowa fields still feeling September’s soaking
Repeated storms during September saturated agricultural fields across the region, limiting access for heavy harvesting equipment.
Earlier NIT coverage described the September rain delays that left many farmers waiting for workable ground.
As of October 11, topsoil moisture was rated 5 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 23 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 6 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 22 percent surplus.
The widespread moisture follows a year in which Northern Iowa drought conditions retreated as Iowa ended its third consecutive water year with a statewide rainfall surplus.
Unseasonable October warmth aids fieldwork
State Climatologist Justin Glisan reported that the first full week of October was unseasonably dry after four reporting periods of above-average rainfall. Statewide temperatures averaged 65.5 degrees, 9 degrees above normal.
Saturday, October 10, brought a statewide average high of 85 degrees, around 20 degrees above normal. Sioux City Airport reached 93 degrees that day, while Spencer Municipal Airport recorded the week’s low of 36 degrees on October 5.
Thunderstorms still bring hail and localized heavy rain
Storms on October 8 produced large hail along a northwest-to-southeast corridor. Hail measuring up to 1.75 inches was reported near Wall Lake in Sac County and in Cumming in Warren County.
Weekly rainfall totals ranged from no measurable precipitation at numerous stations to 1.93 inches in Cherokee. Gilbert received 1.91 inches, and 35 reporting stations measured at least one inch of precipitation.
The statewide average precipitation was 0.55 inch, below the normal 0.69 inch.
Farmers push to close the harvest gap
The delayed harvest puts a premium on each suitable fieldwork day as farmers balance bringing in corn and soybeans with planting cover crops and other fall work.
The next several weeks will determine how quickly Iowa can close the gap between its 2026 harvest and historical averages.
The weekly USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report provides updated statewide figures throughout the growing and harvest seasons.