Harvest season nears in Iowa; Farm Rescue taking applications

Less than 10% of Iowa corn acres have reached the mature stage as of the latest crop progress and condition report, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture anticipates some reports of  harvested acres to appear in the next weekly report. 

According to the USDA report for the Aug. 24 through Aug. 31 reporting period, 6% of Iowa corn acres had reached maturity, which is 2 percentage points behind the 2025 and five-year average pace. 

Corn that has reached the dent stage, at 68%, however, is significantly higher than last year and the 5-year average, which the report shows at 60% and 62% respectively. Nearly all corn acres, 94%, have reached the dough stage as of the latest report. 

Iowa’s corn crop continues to rate well with 77% marked good to excellent for the reporting period. Soybeans also rated 77% good to excellent condition. 

A scant number of soybean acres was reported to be dropping leaves during the reporting period and 93% of the crop was reported to be setting pods, which is slightly behind last years pace and the five-year average. 

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said in a news release that the warm weather expected through the rest of the coming week will “continue to push crop development.” 

State Climatologist Justin Glisan said that while rain fell across most of the state during the reporting period, it wasn’t much. Most weather stations reported below normal amounts of precipitation, and the statewide average for the week was 0.32 inch, while the normal precipitation for the period is 0.91 inch. 

Soil moisture conditions did not change much from the week prior. Both topsoil and subsoil rate as 67% adequate moisture. 

The statewide average temperature for the week, at 70.1 degrees Fahrenheit, was less than 1 degree above the normal, according to Glisan.

Farm Rescue support during harvest

The volunteer organization, Farm Rescue, is accepting applications and referrals for free harvest assistance to farmers and farm families in need this season. 

The organization started in South Dakota in 2005 to help farmers and their families get crops out of the field when major illnesses, injuries or natural disasters make normal harvest impossible. 

Farm Rescue uses volunteers, donors and business partners to help farmers with equipment and “manpower” to get “time sensitive” farm chores done.

Shari Rogge-Fidler, the executive director of Farm Rescue, said in a statement that Farm Rescue can “help carry the load” for families facing crisis. 

“In rural communities, neighbors have always looked out for one another, but during harvest, those same neighbors are often working long days to bring in their own crops,” Rogge-Fidler said. “That’s where Farm Rescue can step in.” 

The service is available in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Montana and Kentucky. Farmers, neighbors, ag professionals and community members are encouraged to refer families in need of harvest assistance to Farm Rescue. Families can also apply directly for assistance.