Crop Report for Week ending September 13, 2015

Widely varying amounts of precipitation were received at the beginning of the week, but drier conditions prevailed later in the week, allowing Iowa farmers 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending September 13, 2015, according the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Activities for the week included seed corn harvest, chopping silage, cutting hay, and isolated reports of corn for grain and soybean harvest. There were continued reports of disease pressure on corn.

Topsoil moisture levels fell slightly to 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus.

Eighty-eight percent of the corn crop was in the dent stage or beyond, with 26 percent mature, 4 days ahead of last year, but one week behind the 5-year average. Corn condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Sixty-two percent of soybeans were starting to turn color or beyond, while 18 percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, 3 days ahead of 2014, but 2 days behind normal. Soybean condition rated 75 percent good to excellent.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 83 percent complete, 10 days ahead of last year, but a week behind the average. Pasture condition rated 66 percent good to excellent. Livestock were reported as having very little stress.

Iowa Dept of Ag.