State warns of field fires as harvest continues

DES MOINES - A continued lack of rainfall meant Iowa farmers had plenty of time for fieldwork last week, according to the latest crop progress and condition report for the state, published by the USDA on Sept. 30.

According to the report, 27% of Iowa’s soybeans were harvested by the end of last week, three days ahead of average. Southeast Iowa lagged behind the curve, however, with only 14% of its soy harvest complete. The corn harvest is going slower than last year’s statewide, with 11% completion compared to 14% at this time last year. On that front, Southeast Iowa is slightly ahead, with 14% of its corn out of the ground.

In a news release, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig urged producers to be mindful of fire hazards, given statewide dry conditions.

“Although suitable for harvest, these warm and dry conditions, paired with low humidity and gusty winds, also produce an environment that can lead to field fires,” he said. “I encourage everyone to be prepared, have a plan, and keep safety top of mind as you are in the field, on the road and around the farm.”

An update to the Iowa Drought Monitor map on Sept. 24 showed moderate drought conditions as close as Dubuque County in northeastern Iowa, but the southeast region remained only “abnormally dry,” the least severe condition tracked by the monitor. A small pocket of the state, between Clarke County and Page County in the southwest, showed no abnormal conditions.

The arid conditions reflect a change of pace from Iowa’s abnormally wet summer. The crop progress report showed soil moisture levels continuing to decline from last season’s highs.

Topsoil moisture conditions in Southeast Iowa rated 25% very short, 44% short, and 34% adequate. Subsoil moisture condition rated 14% very short, 49% short, and 34% adequate. Pasture conditions were not localized by region, but the report said they continued to deteriorate, falling to 44% good or excellent. The ratings have led some farmers to start hauling water to their cattle.

An Iowa Environmental Mesonet data station in Crawfordsville measured 0.04 inches of precipitation between Sept. 23 and 29. Another in Wellman clocked none at all.

“Conditions remained warmer and drier during the last reporting period of September,” State Climatologist Justin Glisan said in his weekly weather summary, published Monday. “Rain was again sparse across the region with totals under 20% of normal for the week, capping off one of the driest Septembers in 152 years of statewide records.”

As for crop progression, Southeast Iowa’s corn in the dent stage or beyond reached 98% by last week’s end according to the crop progress report, and corn maturity reached 84%. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 92%. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 69%, noticeably behind the statewide mark of 80%.

In total across the Hawkeye State, both corn and soybean conditions were rated 77% good to excellent. Regional data on crop conditions was not included in the report.

In another USDA report released Monday, officials said Iowa’s grain stocks were higher this year than in 2023. Corn stored in all positions in Iowa on Sept. 1, totaled 306 million bushels, up 11% from the same time last year. Soybeans skyrocket up 54% over the same time frame, with Sept. 1 totaling 73.3 million bushels.

A yield forecast released by the USDA Sept. 12 showed corn and soy production levels outpacing last year’s by 4% and 10% respectively. That prediction was based on data up through Sept. 1. Another, based on conditions up to Oct. 1, is expected to release late next week.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com