DES MOINES — Iowa farmers remain roughly two weeks behind their normal harvest pace, with just 26 percent of corn harvested and more rain soaking parts of Northern Iowa, according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report.
Soybean harvest reached 57 percent during the week ending October 18, but both major crops remained well behind their five-year averages. Eagle Grove recorded the state’s highest weekly rainfall total at 2.80 inches, while much of Northern Iowa experienced its first freeze of the season.
Farmers had 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the reporting period, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report released October 19.
Iowa harvest progress trails normal pace
Corn harvest was 24 percentage points behind the five-year average of 50 percent. Soybean harvest lagged its five-year average of 74 percent by 17 points.
The delays continue a pattern documented in NIT’s coverage of Iowa farmers working to catch up after harvest fell weeks behind.
“With the historically wet September, Iowa’s harvest got off to a late start, and our farmers are a good two weeks behind on their normal progress,” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said.
“Most of the state experienced favorable weather conditions last week allowing farmers to make headway, where field conditions allowed.”
Crop development was much closer to normal than harvest progress. Corn maturity reached 98 percent, matching the five-year average, while 97 percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, two points behind average.
Corn condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition was 73 percent good to excellent.
Eagle Grove leads state in weekly rainfall
Wet soil continued to complicate fieldwork. Topsoil moisture was rated 24 percent surplus, 73 percent adequate and 3 percent short. Subsoil moisture was 21 percent surplus, 74 percent adequate and 5 percent short.
A system moving across Iowa October 14-15 brought prolonged rain, with nearly 100 stations reporting at least an inch. Some of the highest totals stretched from north-central into eastern Iowa.
Eagle Grove measured 2.77 inches from that system and 2.80 inches for the full week. Boone received 1.56 inches from the system, while Cedar Falls recorded 1.51 inches.
Statewide weekly precipitation averaged 0.86 inch, above the normal 0.62 inch. Some south-central stations reported no measurable precipitation.
The uneven rainfall followed the wet September that stalled Iowa’s harvest, leaving farmers dependent on local soil conditions as they worked to bring crops in.
Northern Iowa sees first widespread freeze
The week brought a sharp temperature swing, from summerlike heat to freezing conditions.
Little Sioux and Vinton reached 91 degrees October 12. By Saturday morning, October 17, temperatures had dropped below freezing across a wide stretch of Northern Iowa for the first time this season.
The statewide average low that morning was 31 degrees, eight degrees below normal. Audubon and Mapleton recorded the week’s lowest temperature of 26 degrees on October 17 and 18, respectively.
Despite the cold finish, Iowa’s weekly average temperature was 56.9 degrees, or 5.4 degrees above normal.
Naig urges patience around farm equipment
In his October 19 statement, Naig said the forecast for unseasonably warm, mostly dry weather could provide more opportunities to advance harvest.
He also urged motorists to make room for farmers moving equipment between fields.
“As activity picks up, I remind drivers to watch for farm equipment, slow down and be patient,” Naig said. “A successful harvest means everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.”