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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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USDA: drought may prompt early harvest
Report says conditions are the worst of last decade
DES MOINES — A continued lack of precipitation throughout Iowa meant farmers had 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sept. 3, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included chopping corn silage as well as cutting and baling hay. Continued drought conditions have stressed corn and soybeans and dried them out to the point that some farmers were getting equipment ready for harvest.
“Iowa experienced its driest reporting period of the season with only a few stations observing measurable amounts,” State Climatologist Justin Glisan said in the state’s USDA Crop Progress & Condition Report released Sept. 3. “Extreme Drought (D3) now covers 18% of Iowa, the largest extent since Spring 2013. Temperatures moderated from the previous week but were still generally unseasonably warm.”
Topsoil moisture condition rated 33 percent very short, 42 percent short, 25 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 31 percent very short, 44 percent short, 24 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Corn in the dent stage or beyond was 78 percent this week, five days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Seventeen percent of the State’s corn crop has reached maturity, five days ahead of last year and three days ahead of normal. Corn condition declined 5 percentage points to 49 percent good to excellent. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 40 percent, six days ahead of last year and four days ahead of the average. Soybeans dropping leaves was 8 percent this week, one week ahead of last year and two days ahead of normal. Soybean condition fell 4 percentage points to 49 percent good to excellent.
The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 95 percent complete, 16 days ahead of last year and 19 days ahead of the average. Pasture condition rated 16 percent good to excellent, the lowest rating since Sept. 6, 2020. Hotter than normal temperatures continued to stress livestock across the State, however the reports of death loss were down this week.
