Crop Conditions Continue to Fall During Hot, Dry Weather

Harvest could come a little earlier than usual this fall.

This week’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the USDA says the continued drought have stressed corn and soybeans – and dried them out to the point that some farmers are getting equipment ready for harvest.

Farmers have been chopping corn silage, along with cutting and baling hay.

Corn in the dent stage or beyond was 78 percent this week – that’s five days ahead of both last year and the average. Seventeen-percent has reached maturity, with corn condition declining five percentage points to 49 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans also fell to 49 percent good to excellent. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 40 percent, with soybeans dropping leaves at eight-percent. 

The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 95 percent complete – more than two weeks ahead of normal. 

Pasture condition is rated just 16 percent good to excellent – that’s the lowest rating in three years.