By Andi Anderson
The latest USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service report shows Iowa farmers had 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 24, 2025. Weather began warm but shifted to cooler weekend temperatures.
Field activities included harvesting oats and hay, with reports of increasing disease pressure in field crops.
Soil conditions remain favorable. Topsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus.
Corn development advanced steadily. Corn in the dough stage reached 88 percent, slightly behind last year and the five-year average. Corn in the dent stage reached 45 percent, nearly on pace with both last year and average.
Crop condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 28 percent excellent.
Soybeans also showed consistent progress. Ninety percent of soybeans were setting pods, slightly ahead of last year but four days behind average. About 8 percent of soybeans were coloring. Soybean condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 20 percent excellent.
Harvest for oats is nearly complete, with 97 percent of the crop harvested. The third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 78 percent complete. Pasture conditions remain strong, with 80 percent rated good to excellent.
Overall, the report indicates steady crop progress, strong moisture conditions, and generally healthy pastures, though the presence of disease in fields is a concern as the season advances.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dszc
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Corn, Soybeans