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Seasonal weather across state halts harvestIowa Weather through most of the week ending Sept. 17 was ideal for maturing the corn and soybean crops, according to the Iowa Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Sept. 18. Both corn for grain and soybean harvest have started, although for the most part, wet conditions have kept farmers out of the field. Other activities such as mowing, spot-spraying or moving old crop grain were reported. Light corn lodging was reported throughout the state. Light to moderate soybean lodging was reported due to moisture, winds, and some light hail. There were 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork last week, compared to 5.9 days last year and the five-year average of 5.3 days suitable. Topsoil moisture rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 4 percent very short, 22 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus statewide. Corn in or past dent stage was 98 percent, 1 percentage point ahead of last year and 5 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Corn mature (safe from frost) was 58 percent, 3 percentage points ahead of last year and 7 percentage points ahead of normal. Corn condition was reported as 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 21 percent excellent, improving slightly from the previous week. Ninety-one percent of the soybeans are turning color, even with last year but 4 days ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 56 percent for the state, 2 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition was reported as 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 51 percent good, and 21 percent excellent, slightly less favorable than last week. The third alfalfa harvest was reported 97 percent complete, just 1 percentage point behind last year but 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Hay condition, continuing improvement, was rated 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 19 percent excellent. Pasture and range rated 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 18 percent excellent. Pasture conditions continue to improve. Some feedlots remain muddy; no other livestock problems were reported. Date: 9/22/06
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