Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Between periods of rain last week, the unseasonably warm temperatures helped Iowa farmers continue to wrap up harvest and complete other field work,” Secretary Mike Naig said. “The widespread rainfall over the last few weeks has been beneficial in improving drought conditions across large swaths of Iowa. We can expect the warmer temperatures and more active weather pattern to continue as we head toward Thanksgiving.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop report

Moderate rainfall during the week slowed harvest as Iowa’s farmers had an average of 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 10, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting row crops, completing fall tillage, baling stalks, and applying fall fertilizer and manure.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 12 percent very short, 36 percent short, 50 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 19 percent very short, 45 percent short, 35 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Harvest of the corn for grain crop reached 95 percent statewide, 4 days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the five-year average. Farmers in south central Iowa still have over 15 percent of their corn for grain remaining to be harvested. Moisture content of field corn harvested for grain remained steady at 14 percent.

Livestock producers reported muddy feedlots.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Unseasonably wet conditions were observed across much of Iowa for the second consecutive reporting period with the highest totals found in northeast Iowa. Temperatures remained well above average with positive departures of 10-14 degrees in eastern Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 48.3 degrees, 8.9 degrees above normal.

Showers continued through much of Sunday (3rd) with moderate rainfall reported across eastern Iowa. Afternoon temperatures held in the mid to upper 50s under overcast skies. A second round of showers on the backside of the low pressure center moved through northwestern Iowa into Monday (4th). Rainfall totals were highest in eastern Iowa with most stations registering between 0.50 and 1.00 inch. A swath of northeastern Iowa reported higher totals ranging from 1.10 inches in McGregor (Clayton County) to 2.30 inches at Dubuque Lock and Dam (Dubuque County). Stations across western Iowa saw general amounts of a few tenths of an inch with totals between 1.32 and 1.50 inches at multiple Harrison County locations; the statewide average rainfall was 0.48 inch. Overcast skies persisted for much of the afternoon with highs ranging from the low 50s north to mid 60s south. Rain showers returned to southern Iowa towards the evening and broadened to cover much of Iowa. The system slowly moved across Iowa into Tuesday (5th) with northwestern Iowa reporting light rainfall through the late morning hours. An additional line of showers with moderate rainfall formed in eastern Iowa along a cold front before the system cleared the state. Most Iowa stations reported at least 0.25 inch with the highest event totals in western and east-central Iowa; Cedar Rapids (Linn County) registered 1.02 inches while Oskaloosa (Mahaska County) observed 2.11 inches. Clouds began clearing behind the system with widespread fog reported near daybreak on Wednesday (6th) with morning lows in the mid 30s west to mid 40s east. Afternoon conditions were generally clear statewide with variable winds and temperatures climbing into the upper 40s and low 50s.

Widespread fog was observed again on Thursday (7th) morning as clear skies and calm to light winds produced ideal conditions. Westerly winds increased through the daytime hours as temperatures rose into the 50s under sunny skies. Wind shifted southwesterly overnight with morning lows on Friday (8th) holding in the low 30s north to low 40s south. The afternoon hours were sunny with light, variable winds and temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s. Clouds increased over southwestern Iowa after sunset as a low pressure system approached the state. Showers spread across the southwest corner and expanded over much of the state into Saturday (9th) morning. Rainfall persisted in eastern Iowa through the day as high temperatures held in the upper 40s for most stations. The low pressure center continued to move across northwestern Iowa into Sunday (10th), producing additional showers. Rain totals reported at 7:00 am were in the 0.25-0.50 inch range over much of western Iowa with 0.10-0.25 inch totals farther east; Storm Lake (Buena Vista County) reported 0.47 inch while Grafton (Worth County) recorded 0.96 inch.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged 0.02 inch in Rock Rapids (Lyon County) to 2.93 inches at Dubuque Lock and Dam. The weekly statewide average precipitation was 1.14 inches; the normal is 0.52 inch. Columbus Junction (Louisa County) and Donnellson (Lee County) reported the week’s high temperature of 71 degrees on the 4th, on average 16 degrees above normal. Several stations reported the week’s low temperature of 29 degrees on the 7th and 8th, 1.1 degrees below normal.

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“After a long stretch of dry conditions that allowed harvest to proceed without much interruption, measurable rainfall finally arrived last week and stayed through the weekend in much of the state. For Iowa farmers still finishing harvest and other field work, the moisture may temporarily delay progress. However, it will also provide the added benefits of reducing dust, decreasing fire risk and helping to replenish our dry soils, waterways and pastures,” Secretary Naig said. “For the many farmers who have seeded cover crops or are planning to do so, the rain also provided a much needed boost toward getting them established. As we look ahead to the next two weeks, outlooks continue to show better chances of warmer temperatures and more rain.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop report

Much needed rain across the State meant Iowa farmers had just 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending November 3, 2024, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting corn and soybeans, completing fall tillage, and applying fall fertilizer and manure. 

Topsoil moisture condition rated 21 percent very short, 38 percent short, 39 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 27 percent very short, 42 percent short, 31 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.

Harvest of the corn for grain crop reached 92 percent statewide, 6 days ahead of last year and 2 weeks ahead of the five-year average. Moisture content of field corn harvested for grain remained steady at 14 percent.

Livestock producers reported weaning calves and sending some to local sale barns. Many feedlots went from dry and dusty to muddy with the rain received during the week.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

A significant shift in the storm track brought widespread and above-normal rainfall to most of Iowa during the reporting period; nearly a month’s worth of rain fell at many stations.

Temperatures remained warmer than average with the highest departures of up to 12 degrees in central Iowa. The statewide average temperature was 53.1 degrees, 7.5 degrees above normal.

Strong southerly winds helped boost Sunday (27th) afternoon temperatures into the mid to upper 60s with ample sunshine. Winds decreased through the evening hours with partly cloudy conditions developing in southwestern Iowa into Monday (28th). Morning lows bottomed out in the 50s with southerly winds persisting. Afternoon temperatures were pleasant, in the 70s, with winds once again becoming gusty and clouds drifting over western Iowa. Temperatures on Tuesday (29th) morning were well-above average across eastern Iowa as a warm front lifted north across the state; upper 60s and low 70s were reported at most stations with upper 40s in the northwest corner and a statewide average low of 53 degrees, 18 degrees above normal. Daytime conditions were exceedingly windy with 45 mph wind gusts reported at municipal airports in Cedar Rapids (Linn County), Davenport (Scott County) and Lamoni (Decatur County). High temperatures were well above average, in the low to mid 80; the statewide average high was 81 degrees, 26 degrees above normal. Cloud cover increased over western Iowa overnight into Wednesday (30th) with a strong Colorado Low pressure center moving into Iowa as thundershowers popped up in eastern Iowa. Stronger thunderstorms, some severe warned, developed in western Iowa over the afternoon and evening hours. Showers and thunderstorms expanded in aerial coverage across much of Iowa through the end of the day and into early Thursday (31st) as the system moved into the Great Lakes. More than 300 National Weather Service and Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow (CoCoRaHS) gauges collected at least 1.00 inch with nearly 100 hitting 2.00 inches; the highest totals were found from south-central to eastern Iowa with 3.00 inches in Dubuque (Dubuque County) and Williamson (Lucas County) to 3.52 inches in Jasper County. The statewide average rainfall was 1.49 inches with a few stations in northwest Iowa reporting measurable snowfall as cold air wrapped in behind the disturbance; Sheldon measured 0.1 inch while 1.7 inches was observed in Sibley (Osceola County).

Overcast skies persisted through Friday (1st) with afternoon highs varying from the upper 30s northeast to low 50s southwest where skies began clearing. Light, variable winds developed into Saturday (2nd) morning with lows in the upper 20s and low 30s statewide under clear skies. A southerly shifting wind allowed temperatures to rise into the mid to upper 50s as clouds increased along the Iowa-Missouri border. Rain showers overspread the state through the nighttime hours and into Sunday (3rd) morning with temperatures holding in the upper 40s and low 50s. Rain totals reported at 7:00 am were highest from central to northeast Iowa with 2.00 inches in Decorah (Winneshiek County) to 2.30 inches in Garwin (Tama County). Nearly 150 stations within the swath as well as northwest and southeast of the highest totals reported at least an inch with a statewide average of 0.80 inch.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.60 inch in Le Mars (Plymouth County) to 5.05 inches in Vining (Tama County). The weekly statewide average precipitation was 2.29 inches, more than four time the normal of 0.53 inch. Little Sioux (Harrison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 86 degrees on the 29th, 29 degrees above normal. Belle Plaine and Vinton (Benton County) reported the week’s low temperature of 24 degrees on the 1st and 2nd, on average eight degrees below normal.

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Continued warm temperatures and dry conditions last week allowed for harvest to push forward at a brisk pace. While corn harvest is likely to continue well into November, soybean harvest across Iowa is nearing completion,” said Secretary Naig. “The extended lack of rainfall has resulted in drought conditions spreading across many areas, but a mid-week system has the potential to bring widespread moisture to much of Iowa. Following what is likely to be one of the driest Octobers on record, weather outlooks for early November are indicating more chances for rainfall.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop report

Row crop harvest was ahead of normal as Iowa’s farmers had 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 27, 2024, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting corn and soybeans, completing fall tillage, and applying fall fertilizer.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 43 percent very short, 42 percent short, 15 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Topsoil moisture condition rated at least 75 percent short to very short across the State. Subsoil moisture condition rated 34 percent very short, 46 percent short, 20 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.

Corn harvest for grain reached 84 percent statewide, almost a week ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the five-year average. South central Iowa farmers still have 34 percent of their corn for grain remaining to harvest, while farmers have already harvested 91 percent in north central Iowa. Moisture content of field corn being harvested was 14 percent. Iowa’s soybean harvest was nearly complete at 96 percent.

Pasture condition continued to fall and rated 19 percent good to excellent this week.  Pastures have largely gone dormant due to shorter daylight hours, cooler temperatures, and dry conditions.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Widespread rainfall returned to Iowa over the reporting period with the highest totals found in east-central Iowa; the weekly statewide total was more than the previous four weeks combined, though still below the 30-year climatological average. Temperatures remained unseasonably warm with a statewide average of 53.6 degrees, 4.2 degrees above normal.

Strong southwesterly winds helped boost Sunday (20th) afternoon temperatures into the low 80s across most of Iowa. Clear conditions continued into Monday (21st) with morning temperatures ranging from the mid 40s southeast to upper 50s northwest. Afternoon temperatures returned to the low 80s statewide with sunny skies and southerly winds persisting. Clouds increased over western Iowa prior to sunset as a band of showers, with locally heavier rain, pushed into Iowa ahead of a low pressure system. Showers and a few thunderstorms increased in coverage as the system moved through central and eastern Iowa into late Tuesday (22nd) morning. Moderate rain was reported along a narrow line in eastern Iowa before the system cleared the state. Most stations reporting rain had totals under 0.15 inch with higher amounts ranging from 0.21 inch in Washington (Washington County) to 0.41 inch near Council Bluffs (Pottawattamie County). Westerly winds built in behind the system with clearing skies in eastern Iowa and highs in the 70s west to upper 60s east. Winds shifted northwesterly overnight as patchy cloud cover and light rain moved over southern Iowa.

Conditions cleared out through Wednesday (23rd) with afternoon conditions in the upper 50s to mid 60s, near seasonal for late October. Overnight lows into Thursday (24th) were below freezing in eastern Iowa, where patchy frozen fog was observed; upper 40s and low 50s were reported farther west. A shift back to gusty southerly winds ahead of another low pressure center helped fire thunderstorms across southern Iowa into the afternoon hours. A more concentrated line of showers and thunderstorms formed along the low’s attendant cold front as it sped through central Iowa; several storms became severe-warned with pea to penny-sized hail along with heavier rainfall rates. Thirty stations in eastern Iowa reported at least an inch of rain with the highest totals in Johnson County, where 1.93 inches was registered in North Liberty. Many stations observed rainfall in the 0.30 to 0.70-inch range. The system cleared eastern Iowa by sunrise on Friday (25th) with morning lows in the mid 30s northwest to low 50s southeast under clear skies. Sunshine and northerly winds prevailed with highs holding in the upper 50s and low 60s. Saturday (26th) dawned chilly with temperatures in the 20s across western Iowa while conditions were up to 10 degrees warmer in eastern Iowa. Daytime temperatures rose back into the upper 50s and low 60s as blustery southerly winds returned. Starry skies were visible into Sunday (27th) with morning lows in the upper 30s and low 40s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation in northwest Iowa to 2.18 inches in Solon (Johnson County). The weekly statewide average precipitation was 0.24 inch while the normal is 0.53 inch. Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s high temperature of 85 degrees on the 21st, 27 degrees above normal. Mapleton (Monona County) and Mason City (Cerro Gordo County) reported the week’s low temperature of 20 degrees on the 27th, on average 13 degrees below normal.

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service 

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“After another dry week, Iowa’s harvest took another sizable step toward the finish line,” Secretary Naig said. “Heading into the last stretch of October, temperatures are expected to remain warmer than average with more chances of precipitation, which could slow or temporarily pause harvest in areas. With drought conditions continuing to spread, we would welcome a shot of rain to reduce fire risks, get cover crops established and begin to replenish our soils, streams and pastures.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report

Row crop harvest remained ahead of average as Iowa’s farmers had 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 20, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.  Field activities included harvesting corn and soybeans, fall tillage, and applying manure and fertilizer. Dry conditions resulted in field and equipment fires being reported during harvest.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 41 percent very short, 40 percent short, 19 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 31 percent very short, 46 percent short, 23 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. For the second straight week, most of the State received no measurable precipitation.

Nearly all of Iowa’s corn crop reached the mature stage or beyond. Harvest of the corn for grain crop reached 68 percent complete, 5 days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the five-year average. Farmers in south central Iowa remained behind farmers in the rest of the State with just 50 percent of their crop harvested. Moisture content of field corn being harvested was 15 percent. Soybeans harvested reached 91 percent, 1 week ahead of last year and almost 2 weeks ahead of the average. Farmers in northern Iowa, as well as west central and east central, have already harvested 94 percent or more of their soybeans.

Pasture condition fell another 8 percentage points to 22 percent good to excellent this week.  Ponds and creeks in pastures are drying up as pastures go dormant due to the dry conditions. Some cattle are being turned onto corn stalk fields.

Weather Summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The second driest October in 152 years of records continues as only a handful of Iowa stations reported meager rainfall totals. Much of the state also experienced the first widespread freeze early in the reporting period. Overall, temperatures varied from below normal southeast to above normal northwest; the statewide average temperature was 49.9 degrees, 0.8 degree below normal.

Gusty northwesterly winds persisted through Sunday (13th) afternoon with highs in the upper 50s and low 60s. Mostly cloudy skies in eastern Iowa gave way to clear conditions into Monday (14th). Morning lows dropped into the 20s in western Iowa with upper 30s to low 40s farther east. Partly cloudy conditions developed across central Iowa through the day as temperatures held in the 50s. Cloud cover increased across much of Iowa overnight with isolated light showers forming in southern Iowa; trace amounts of rainfall were reported at eight stations, including Des Moines International Airport (Polk County) while four stations collected 0.01 to 0.02 inch in Clarke and Henry counties. A strong high pressure system dominated the Upper Midwest through Tuesday (15th) with ample sunshine and daytime highs returning to the mid to upper 50s. The coldest temperatures of the season were reported on Wednesday (16th) morning with upper teens to low 30s observed west to east across the state; the statewide average low was 26 degrees, 13 degrees below normal. With a southerly shifting wind, afternoon temperatures warmed into the low 60s with clear skies persisting. Overnight lows varied from the mid 30s southeast to upper 40s northwest under starry skies. Strong southerly winds continued through the day on Thursday (17th), pushing temperatures into the upper 60s and low 70s statewide. Morning temperatures, in the low to mid 50s, were 10-15 degrees above normal in western Iowa with more seasonal temperatures across much of the rest of the state. Friday (18th) was pleasant with low 70s, blustery southerly winds and clear skies. Saturday (19th) dawned with partly to mostly cloudy skies in western Iowa with clear skies over eastern Iowa. Low temperatures under clouds were in the 50s while mid 30s to low 40s were reported east. Afternoon temperatures hit the low to mid 70s with some spotty clouds remaining in western Iowa. Wind speeds decreased into Sunday (20th) with lows in the 50s under clear skies.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation across the vast majority of Iowa to 0.02 inch in Osceola (Clarke County). There was no measurable weekly statewide average precipitation; the normal is 0.55 inch. Waterloo Municipal Airport (Black Hawk County) reported the week’s high temperature of 85 degrees on the 20th, 24 degrees above normal. Mapleton (Monona County) reported the week’s low temperature of 17 degrees on the 16th, 20 degrees below normal.

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Warm and dry conditions continued across much of the state last week, providing a window for significant harvest progress. Despite cooler temperatures, mostly dry conditions are expected to persist in the week ahead, allowing harvest activity to steadily roll on. However, outlooks into the second half of October show rainfall potential,” Secretary Naig said. “As harvest continues, I encourage drivers to be on the lookout for farm machinery on the roads at all hours of the day and night. Please slow down and share the road to keep drivers and farmers safe this fall.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop report

Continued dry weather and above normal temperatures allowed Iowa farmers 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 13, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included harvesting corn and soybeans, baling corn stalks, applying manure and fertilizers, and fall tillage. Fire danger in fields remains a threat.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 35 percent very short, 41 percent short, 24 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 27 percent very short, 45 percent short, 28 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.

Corn reached 97 percent mature or beyond. Corn harvested for grain reached 45 percent, 3 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn moisture content fell 2 percentage points to 16 percent. Corn condition rated 76 percent good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves or beyond reached 98 percent. Nearly one-quarter of the soybean crop was harvested during the week ending October 13 reaching 81 percent complete, 6 days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the average. Farmers in south central Iowa remain considerably behind farmers in the rest of the State with just 54 percent of their soybean crop harvested.

Pasture condition fell 8 percentage points to just 30 percent good to excellent this week. Livestock water resources continue to recede.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The second reporting period of October was the driest of the year with only a few stations reporting trace amounts of rainfall; October so far is running just under 10% of normal precipitation. Warm conditions also continued with temperatures up to six degrees warmer than normal in western Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 59.6 degrees, 5.4 degrees above normal.

Gusty northwesterly winds built in through Sunday (6th) afternoon with high temperatures ranging from the mid 60s north to low 70s south. Clear skies and calm winds allowed for widespread below freezing temperatures over northern Iowa into the morning hours of Monday (7th); the statewide average low was 36 degrees, seven degrees below normal. Afternoon temperatures rebounded into the mid to upper 60s with wildfire smoke observed across portions of southern Iowa. Tuesday (8th) started off with clear skies with morning lows in the mid 30s to low 40s and patchy fog at southwestern stations. Daytime conditions remained sunny with southwesterly to westerly winds and highs in the mid to upper 70s. Spotty clouds filtered into the state overnight into Wednesday (9th) with variable winds and temperatures in the upper 40s to low 50s south; temperatures farther north held in the upper 30s and low 40s. Upper 70s and low 80s were reported through the daylight hours as cloudless conditions continued into Thursday (10th) morning. Winds shifted to the east with temperatures in the mid to upper 40s at most locations. A southerly shifting wind boosted highs into the mid to upper 80s across Iowa’s western half with mid to upper 70s towards the eastern side the state. With an anomalously strong solar storm impacting Earth, vivid Aurora Borealis were observed through the late evening and nighttime hours. Friday (11th) dawned mostly clear with lows in the 50s for most of Iowa; several readings in the 40s were registered in eastern Iowa. Winds began shifting northerly as a cold front moved southeast across the state. Highs behind the front were in the low to mid 70s while the mid 80s were reported ahead of the front. Very light showers were visible on RADAR along the boundary, however only a trace amount of rainfall was observed at a few eastern Iowa stations, including Decorah (Winneshiek County) and Muscatine (Muscatine County). A weak low pressure center skirted the Iowa-Missouri border overnight and through much of Saturday (12th), shifting easterly winds back to a northerly direction. Daytime conditions remained seasonal over northern Iowa with warmer temperatures across southeastern corner, in the low to mid 80s. Windy conditions returned after sunrise on Sunday (13th) as most stations reported lows in the 40s under clear skies.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation across the vast majority of Iowa to trace amounts at a handful of stations. There was no measurable weekly statewide average precipitation; the normal is 0.60 inch. Osceola (Clarke County) and Shenandoah (Page County) reported the week’s high temperature of 89 degrees on the 11th, 21 degrees above normal. Mapleton (Monona County) reported the week’s low temperature of 28 degrees on the 7th, 13 degrees below normal.

Released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Iowa’s harvest progress took a big leap forward this week,” Secretary Naig said. “After the driest September on record, the warm and dry weather is expected to continue through mid-October. While this is helpful for harvest, drought conditions are likely to expand throughout the state.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop report

Iowa experienced another week of dry and windy conditions which allowed farmers 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending October 6, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean harvest continued to be the primary field activities for the week. Combine and other equipment fires were reported as weather conditions increased the risk of such fires.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 22 percent very short, 42 percent short, 36 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 16 percent very short, 44 percent short, 39 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn mature reached 90 percent, 6 days behind last year but 5 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn harvested for grain reached 22 percent, 2 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of normal. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was 18 percent. Corn condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves reached 93 percent, 1 day ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans harvested reached 58 percent this week, 4 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the average. Iowa farmers were able to harvest 31 percent of the State’s soybean crop during the week ending October 6, 2024. Soybean condition rated 76 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition continued to fall and rated just 38 percent good to excellent this week, a decrease of 6 percentage points.  Livestock water resources continue to be a concern.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The first week of October experienced continued unseasonably warm conditions as a stable weather pattern dominated the region; the statewide average temperature was 62.9 degrees, 6.5 degrees above normal. This was also the fifth consecutive reporting period of below average rainfall with much of northern and western Iowa in moisture deficits as drought expands.

Sunday (29th) afternoon was pleasant with low dewpoints and temperatures in the low to mid 80s under sunny skies. Morning temperatures on Monday (30th) dropped into the 40s across portions of western Iowa with mid to upper 50s over the rest of Iowa. Gusty southerly winds built in through the daytime hours with some clouds in eastern Iowa and temperatures in the 80s. Temperatures dropped, and winds shifted northwesterly as a cold front pushed though the state into Tuesday (1st) morning. Conditions were in the low to mid 40s in western Iowa while mid to upper 50s were observed ahead of the boundary in eastern Iowa. Afternoon temperatures held in the mid to upper 60s under cloudless skies and light northerly winds. Winds swung to a southerly direction after midnight with morning lows on Wednesday (2nd) ranging from the upper 30s southeast to upper 40s northwest with patchy cloud cover in southwest Iowa. Southwesterly winds became gusty ahead of a cold front crossing through the Upper Midwest; highs were comfortable in the 70s with ample sunshine. Thursday (3rd) started off with lows in the mid 40s east to mid 50s west with winds turning east as a low pressure center approached Iowa from the southwest. Daytime temperatures warmed into the 80s across southern Iowa while low 70s were reported farther north. Clouds increased across the state as the cold front swung southeast. A line of showers and elevated thunderstorms formed just after midnight along and south of I-80. Several storms were severe-warned after quickly intensifying as they moved through southeastern Iowa, producing moderate to heavy rain and pea-sized hail. The highest rain totals ranged from 0.50 inch in Muscatine (Muscatine County) to over 1.00 inch in Ottumwa (Wapello County) and Columbus Junction (Louisa County). Lesser amounts, at or under 0.20 inch, were reported at several central and northeastern Iowa stations. Friday (4th) dawned chilly in northwestern Iowa with upper 30s and low 40s reported. Lingering clouds held temperatures in the mid to upper 50s southeast as the front pushed east. Afternoon conditions were sunny and near seasonal with highs in the low 70s and easterly winds. Partly cloudy skies developed into Saturday (5th) with patchy fog at southwestern stations and low temperatures in the 50s. Daytime temperatures quickly rose into the upper 80s and low 90s across much of Iowa as a cold front swept into western Iowa. Atlantic (Cass County) hit 96 degrees, just one degree off the statewide record high temperature for October set in 1897; the average high was 87 degrees, 19 degrees above normal. Starry skies were visible overnight with morning lows on Sunday dropping into the mid 30s in northeastern Iowa.

Weekly rain totals ranged from no accumulation across much of Iowa to 1.20 inches in Columbus Junction. The statewide weekly average rainfall was 0.10 inch while the normal is 0.74 inch. Atlantic reported the week’s high temperature of 96 degrees on the 5th, 26 degrees above normal. Elkader (Clayton County) and Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 34 degrees on the 3rd and 6th, respectively, eight degrees below normal.