Higher levels of precipitation across the state has slowed down harvesting allowing five days of suitable fieldwork this past week, according to the latest Crop Progress and Condition report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. 

Field activities included harvesting soybeans and corn, fall tillage and applying fertilizer. Sixty percent of Iowa’s corn for grain has been harvested, one week ahead of the five-year average. Producers across much of the state have approximately two-thirds of their corn crop harvested, while producers in northeast and south central Iowa have more than half remaining to be harvested. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was 18%, unchanged from the previous week. Soybean harvest reached 83%, six days ahead of the five-year average. Soybean harvest in the southern one-third of the state is still behind but farmers in each of the southern districts harvested 18% or more of their crop last week. Pasture condition rated 32% good to excellent. Livestock were reported to be in good condition with some cattle grazing on stalks. Muddy feedlots may be an issue following the increased rainfall last week.