Northwest Iowa Crop Conditions

Warmer than average temps are helping mature this late crop. Typically harvest starts by the last week of September, but this year there is very little activity outside of a few farms farther south. Heavy rains in southeast South Dakota caused the Big Sioux River to flood again. Flood levels were even higher than March’s record-breaking flood. There was less new crop damage from this flood because most of the river bottom land wasn’t able to be planted this year. The long range forecast calls for two weeks of wet weather, so it looks like harvest will be delayed well into October on most farms.

I am impressed how much the corn has matured over the past three weeks. Most corn planted before mid-May is very near (or has reached) black layer (full maturity). This corn will begin to dry down and should be in good shape for a normal harvest timeline. The corn planted in June is in the dent stage, and it still needs a few weeks to reach maturity. A freeze would still damage this later corn. The warm weather has helped push this corn along. Corn yields will be variable depending on planting date, drainage, and many other factors. Overall, this region looks to have a good corn crop. We are hoping
for good drying weather in October.

Soybeans are also progressing, most are a mix of yellow and green. Some of the early beans planted by mid-May could be ready to harvest soon if the weather cooperates. A few bean fields were harvested south of this region, but I haven’t heard many yield reports yet. Soybean yields will vary based on differences in drainage, disease pressure (white mold was bad this year), fertility, rainfall, variety,planting date, and many other factors.