Average rainfall statewide left Iowa farmers with 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork, allowing harvest to get underway during the week ending September 25, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included harvesting row crops, chopping silage, and cutting hay.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 14 percent very short, 29 percent short, 56 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 20 percent very short, 30 percent short, 49 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Corn in the dent stage or beyond was 97 percent, 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Sixty-three percent of Iowa’s corn crop was mature or beyond, 2 days behind last year, but 1 day ahead of the average. Harvest of the State’s corn crop was 5 percent complete, 5 days behind last year and 1 day behind the 5-year average. Corn condition remained 64 percent good to excellent. Ninety percent of soybeans were coloring or beyond, 3 days behind last year. Soybeans dropping leaves or beyond were at 61 percent, 3 days behind last year and 1 day behind the 5-year average. Soybean harvest reached 7 percent, 4 days behind last year and 3 days behind the average. Soybean condition rated 62 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-eight percent of the State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay was complete. Pasture conditions remained 34 percent good to excellent.