AUDIO: Iowa corn and soybean farmer Denny Friest
Most Iowa farmers fell further behind on harvest due to last week. According to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, farmers only had two days to work in the field. This was the second week in a row this happened.
Many activities were delayed due to the wet conditions, but when the weather allowed farmers harvested corn for grain and soybeans, planted cover crops, and hauled manure.
Ninety-four percent of corn has reached maturity or beyond, six days behind last year and two days behind the 5-year average. Just 13 percent of the corn crop for grain has been harvested, the smallest percentage harvested by this date since 2009 and over 2 weeks behind average.
Moisture content of corn being harvested for grain averaged 21 percent. Corn condition rated 61 percent good to excellent.
Ninety-six percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, one day ahead of last year and two days ahead of average. Thirty-two percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, the lowest percentage harvested by this date since 1985. Only east central Iowa farmers have harvested over 50 percent of their soybean crop. Soybean condition rated 63 percent good to excellent.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 4 percent very short, 7 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 9 percent very short, 16 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.
