‘Excessively wet’ conditions reported as harvest begins in Iowa 

As most of Iowa saw heavy rainfall over the past week, about 2% of Iowa’s corn acres have been harvested, according to the latest crop progress and condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

The report for the Sept. 7-13 reporting period noted 38% of Iowa’s corn acres had reached maturity, which is on par with the five-year average for the state, but 7 percentage points behind the 2025 crop. 

Slightly less than 90% of corn acres have reached the dent stage, according to the report which rated Iowa corn as 76% good to excellent for the period. 

While about 1% of soybean harvest has typically occurred by this reporting period, the latest report shows no beans have been harvested in the state. Twenty-two percent of the crop has started dropping leaves, however, which is 10 percentage points behind the year prior and 6 percentage points behind the average pace. 

Soybeans rated 74% good to excellent for the period.

In accordance with the start of harvest season, Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a harvest proclamation Sept. 10, to allow vehicles transporting certain agricultural products to be overweight.

State Climatologist Justin Glisan said the state had “excessively wet” conditions, with several weather stations reporting rainfall totals at 400%-600% of normal levels for the reporting period. 

According to Glisan’s weekly weather report, the statewide weekly precipitation total was 2.05 inches, more than an inch above the normal of 0.84 inch. 

Western and central parts of the state had the most precipitation during the reporting period, with Guthrie Center reporting the highest amount for the week at 7.76 inches, according to Glisan. 

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said there is more rain on the horizon, making it a good time for farmers to “tackle other important work around the farm, including getting equipment ready for harvest.”

In addition to the wet conditions, Iowa also experienced above average temperatures across most of the state, with a weekly statewide average of 71.2 degrees Fahrenheit, more than 5 degrees above normal.