State’s harvest continues ahead of schedule

DES MOINES — Iowa farmers had 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 8, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean harvest continued to be the primary field activities for the week.

Temperatures for the reporting period were unusually high.

“The first week of October remained unseasonably warm, though temperatures took a nose-dive towards the end of the reporting period,” State Climatologist Justin Glisan said in the weekly report. “The statewide average temperature was 60.3 degrees, 5.7 degrees above normal … with unseasonably dry conditions continuing across Iowa’s eastern two thirds.”

Topsoil moisture condition rated 32% very short, 44% short, 23% adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 37% very short, 43% short, 19% adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Southeast Iowa’s numbers remained less desirable, with topsoil clocking in at 66% very short, 25% short, and 9% adequate. Subsoil moisture numbers for the region were 65% very short, 24% short and 11% adequate.

Corn maturity reached 96% this week both in Southeast Iowa and the statewide average. That’s eight days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn harvested for grain reached 30% statewide, 5 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the average, while Southeast Iowa’s completion rate of 29% was just slightly behind.

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Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was at 19% across the state. Corn condition declined slightly to 48% good to excellent.

Soybeans dropping leaves was 94% this week statewide, 3 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the average. On this count, as well, Southeast Iowa came in just slightly percent, showing 91%. Soybeans harvested statewide reached 52%, 1 day ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the average as Iowa farmers were able to harvest 28% of the State’s soybeans during the week ending Oct. 8, 2023. Soybean condition rated 48% good to excellent.

In Southeast Iowa, only 33% of this year’s soybeans are harvested, six percentage points behind the statewide five-year average. North Central Iowa leads the pack this week, with 68% of the grain harvested.

Pasture condition rated 16% good to excellent across the Hawkeye State. Livestock conditions were reported as generally good, but some producers continued to haul hay and water to their livestock on pasture.