Warmer weather and scattered showers gave Iowa farmers 5.3 days for 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. Iowa’s corn condition rated 62% good to excellent, a two digit increase from the previous week. Ninety-five percent of corn has reached maturity, eight days ahead of the five-year average with 30% of corn for grain harvested statewide, also eight days ahead of normal. Soybean condition was rated 63% good to excellent, a one digit decrease from last week. Soybeans dropping leaves or beyond reached 96%, one week ahead of normal. Fifty-six percent of Iowa’s soybean crop has been harvested, nine days ahead of the five-year average. Pasture condition rated 32% good to excellent, a five percent increase from the previous week. Overall, livestock were faring well, although conditions varied with some reports of muddy feedlots and water shortage issues for cattle on pastures.