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Rainfall slows harvestIowa Iowa farmers were starting to harvest corn and soybeans when rain and cooler temperatures moved into the state delaying harvest during the week ending Sept. 27, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office, Sept. 28. Corn and soybean crop progress stages continue to fall behind five-year averages as skies remained cloudy for the majority of the week. Although cool, Iowa did not receive any reports of frost. The rainfall was beneficial to cattle producers as pasture and rangeland needed moisture for cool season grass development. There were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, compared to the five-year average of 5.1 days. Topsoil moisture rated 3 percent very short, 20 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture rated 4 percent very short, 17 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Corn reported at or beyond the dent stage reached 95 percent, 3 percentage points ahead of last year, but 5 days behind the five-year average. Corn reported mature or safe from frost reached 47 percent, 5 percentage points ahead of last year, but 9 days behind the five-year average. Corn harvested for grain has begun with 2 percent of the crop reported as harvested, equal to last year, but 4 percentage points behind the five-year average. Moisture content of all field corn is estimated at 32 percent, 4 percentage points higher than the five-year average. Corn lodging is rated 75 percent none, 20 percent light, 4 percent moderate, and 1 percent heavy. Ear droppage is rated 85 percent none, 12 percent light, 2 percent moderate, and 1 percent heavy. Corn condition was rated 3 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 23 percent excellent. Soybean leaves turning color reached 95 percent, 4 percentage points ahead of last year, but 2 percentage points behind the five-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 76 percent, 10 percentage points ahead of last year, but 8 percentage points behind the five-year average. Soybeans harvested reached 6 percent, 1 percentage point behind last year and 14 percentage points behind the five-year average. Soybean lodging is reported 80 percent none, 16 percent light, 3 percent moderate, and 1 percent heavy. Soybeans shattering is rated 86 percent none, 11 percent light, and 3 percent moderate. Soybean condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 19 percent excellent. Alfalfa third cutting has reached 93 percent complete, 4 percentage points ahead of last year, but 4 percentage points behind the five-year average. Pasture and range condition rated 2 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Cattle on feed recorded average gains as temperatures remained low. Stress levels did increase for cattle on feed as dry lots became muddy due to rain showers last week.
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