By Andi Anderson
Iowa farmers experienced scattered rainfall across the state during the week ending August 17, 2025, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The weather allowed for 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork, giving producers time for harvesting oats and hay as well as applying fungicides and insecticides in select areas.
Soil moisture remained favorable. Topsoil moisture was reported as 72 percent adequate and 26 percent surplus, with only 2 percent short. Subsoil moisture showed similar strength, with 73 percent adequate and 23 percent surplus. These conditions have provided strong support for row crop development.
Corn progress remained near seasonal averages. Nearly all fields had reached the silking stage. About 78 percent of corn had entered the dough stage, slightly behind last year and the five-year average.
Corn in the dent stage reached 27 percent, which was just ahead of last year but still a day behind average. Overall, corn condition was reported as 86 percent good to excellent, with only 3 percent in poor or very poor condition.
Soybeans also showed steady development. Blooming reached 96 percent, while 83 percent of fields were setting pods.
This pace was slightly ahead of last year but lagged four days behind the five-year average. Soybean condition rated 82 percent good to excellent, with minimal poor ratings.
The oat harvest was nearly complete, with 91 percent of the crop already collected. For hay, the third cutting of alfalfa reached 65 percent finished.
Pasture conditions benefited from frequent rains, with 83 percent rated good to excellent. The consistent rainfall also extended grazing periods, providing additional benefits for livestock.
Overall, livestock remained in good condition, though there were some reports of minor stress caused by periods of heat and humidity. Farmers across Iowa continue to monitor weather patterns closely as crops move toward maturity.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Weather