Weekly Update on Iowa's Crop Development and Health Status
Iowa farmers are pushing through the harvest season, despite some delays and rising concerns about crop diseases.
According to the latest USDA Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, the corn in the dough stage has reached 88-percent completion, one day behind last year and three days behind normal. Soybeans are also slightly behind schedule, with 90-percent setting pods, a day ahead of last year but four days behind normal. Forty-five percent of Iowa's corn has reached the dent stage.
The good news is that almost all of Iowa's oat for grain crop has been harvested, with 97-percent completion. The third cutting of alfalfa hay is 78-percent complete.
Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig stated that farmers in the state had a welcomed break from the rain last week. He anticipates warmer weather in September as harvest approaches, although the forecast for the rest of the week predicts cooler weather. Initial outlooks suggest a potentially warmer September, with sunny mornings, temperatures around 12-13°C, daytime highs reaching up to approximately 24-29°C, and partly cloudy skies.
However, reports are noting increasing levels of disease in field crops in Iowa. No specific diseases were mentioned in the reports. Secretary Naig predicts cooler, drier weather for the rest of August, which could help in managing these diseases.
The weather forecast for the week ahead includes drier conditions, which should aid in the ongoing harvest. The USDA last released the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report before or around early September 2025, but the exact release date is not available. The corn condition is rated 56-percent good and 28-percent excellent, while the soybean condition is rated 59-percent good and 20-percent excellent, according to the report.
As the harvest continues, farmers and officials remain hopeful for a successful season, despite the challenges they are facing.
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