By Andi Anderson
Favorable weather supported harvest progress across Iowa during the week ending September 28, 2025, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Farmers experienced 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork, with warm temperatures helping crops mature more quickly than usual. Field activities included harvesting both corn and soybeans.
Soil conditions reflected mostly adequate supplies. Topsoil moisture was rated 65 percent adequate, with 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture showed a similar pattern, with 70 percent adequate and only 3 percent rated very short.
Corn development advanced well ahead of schedule. Nearly all fields had reached the dent stage, while 80 percent of corn had matured—running four days ahead of last year and one day ahead of the five-year average.
Harvest progress was steady, with 15 percent of corn for grain harvested, also ahead of both last year and average. Grain moisture at harvest averaged 20 percent. Overall corn condition was rated 71 percent good to excellent.
Soybean fields also showed strong progress. Nearly all plants had colored, with 83 percent dropping leaves, placing development slightly ahead of average.
Harvest completion reached 17 percent, slightly behind both last year and the five-year trend. Soybean condition remained stable, with 73 percent rated good to excellent.
Pasture conditions held firm, with 53 percent rated good to excellent. The combination of favorable weather and adequate moisture has provided producers with strong opportunities to advance fieldwork, though the pace of soybean harvest lags slightly.
Overall, Iowa’s farmers continue to benefit from warm and dry weather, which is helping crops mature rapidly and keeping this year’s harvest on track.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-creischl
Categories: Iowa, Harvesting