Southeast Iowa Crop Conditions

Soybean harvest has begun Southeast of Storm Lake and by most reports, field averages have been better than expected. Some farms reached new production records. This year proves again how beneficial August rain can be. Improved seed genetics and fungicides certainly have improved the top end potential as well. Temperatures the second half of September have been warmer than normal and that heat accelerated crop dry down in both corn and soybeans. Rain arrived on the last day of September that finally brought combines to a halt. Many producers are over half done with their soybean harvest.

There have been a few corn fields harvested so far. It is too early to tell how the corn yield will be overall. Based off of a few reports and field scouting over the last month around the area, we have the potential to have better than expected yields in corn in some areas. The 7 day forecast is favorable, calling for temperatures topping out in the low to mid-70s with low chances of precipitation. I expect to see combines back in the fields by this weekend.