By Andi Anderson
Continued dry weather and higher-than-normal temperatures allowed Iowa farmers to make substantial progress in fieldwork during the week ending October 13, 2024.
According to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, farmers had 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork, which included harvesting corn and soybeans, baling corn stalks, applying manure and fertilizers, and conducting fall tillage. However, the dry conditions also raised fire risks in the fields.
Topsoil moisture levels have become a concern, with 35 percent rated very short, 41 percent short, and only 24 percent rated as adequate. Similarly, subsoil moisture levels are also low, with 27 percent rated very short and 45 percent short, indicating moisture deficits across much of the state.
Corn reached 97 percent maturity, with 45 percent of the crop harvested. This is three days ahead of last year and six days ahead of the five-year average.
The moisture content in harvested corn dropped slightly, down to 16 percent, and the overall corn condition was rated at 76 percent good to excellent.
Soybeans have also progressed well, with 98 percent of crops dropping leaves. Nearly a quarter of the soybean crop was harvested in the week ending October 13, bringing the total to 81 percent harvested.
This puts Iowa farmers six days ahead of last year’s pace and ten days ahead of the five-year average. However, farmers in south-central Iowa remain behind, with just 54 percent of their soybean crop harvested.
Despite the overall progress, pasture conditions have declined, with only 30 percent rated as good to excellent—a drop of eight percentage points from the previous week. Livestock water resources are also continuing to recede due to the dry conditions.
As the dry weather continues, farmers are making the most of the favorable conditions to complete their harvests, while monitoring fire risks and moisture shortages.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dmaroscar
Categories: Iowa, Harvesting, Weather