After facing another dry and warm week, Iowa farmers were left with 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 10, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included chopping corn silage as well as cutting and baling hay. A few reports of corn and soybean harvest were received.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 37 percent very short, 42 percent short, 21 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 35 percent very short, 43 percent short, 21 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Corn in the dent stage or beyond was 90 percent this week, six days ahead of last year and eight days ahead of the five-year average. Thirty-eight percent of the State’s corn crop has reached maturity, one week ahead of last year and six days ahead of normal. Corn condition declined three percentage points to 46 percent good to excellent. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 67 percent, six days ahead of last year and five days ahead of the average. Soybeans dropping leaves was 25 percent, one week ahead of last year and three days ahead of normal. Soybean condition fell five percentage points to 44 percent good to excellent.

Iowa’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 98 percent complete, 15 days ahead of last year and roughly three weeks ahead of the average. Pasture conditions rated just 15 percent good to excellent. Getting water to livestock was a challenge for producers, with some reports of producers selling livestock due to lack of water and having to feed hay.