Warm and dry conditions across Iowa helped push crops towards maturity and allowed farmers 6.1 days for suitable fieldwork last week, according to the latest Crop Progress and Condition report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Field activities included harvesting hay, finishing corn silage and starting on earlage. The state’s corn condition was rated 58% good to excellent, a one-percent drop from the previous week. Corn in or beyond the dent stage has reached 93%, four days ahead of the five-year average, with many producers having started corn harvest throughout the state. Soybean condition was rated 61% good to excellent, also a one-percent drop from the previous week. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 86%, four days ahead of the five-year average with soybeans dropping leaves reaching 53%, three days ahead of normal. Harvest began in some parts of Iowa during the week. Pasture condition was rated 29% good to excellent, a six-percent decrease from last week. Livestock was reported as doing well.