As Iowa harvest picks up, state officials urge farmers to vote early 

Corn and soybean harvest in Iowa is about 20 percentage points behind the five-year average pace, but is progressing after a wet September that stalled field work. Officials urged farmers Monday to fit voting into their busy harvest-season schedules. 

According to the latest crop progress and conditions report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 57% of soybean acres and 26% of corn acres have been harvested as of the Oct. 12 through Oct. 18 reporting period. The calculated five-year normal for the state shows 74% of soybeans and 50% of corn have typically been harvested by this mid-October reporting period. 

Soil moisture conditions remain consistent with the previous reporting period. According to the report, 24% of topsoil and 21% of subsoil rated as having surplus moisture conditions during the reporting period.

State Climatologist Justin Glisan said the statewide average precipitation amount, at 0.86 inch, was above the normal of 0.62 inch for the period. Most of the state received some rainfall during the reporting period. 

Iowa had its first “widespread” frost and freeze event of the season, according to Glisan, who said lows fell below 30 degrees Fahrenheit at multiple weather stations in the state during the reporting period.

Despite the lows, overall temperatures across the state averaged more than 5 degrees above the climatological norm for the period. The statewide average temperature was 56.9 degrees. 

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said that while farmers are about two weeks behind schedule, the mostly warm and dry conditions during the reporting period and in the forecast should give farmers the opportunity to “keep harvest moving.” 

“As activity picks up, I remind drivers to watch for farm equipment, slow down and be patient,” Naig said in a statement. “A successful harvest means everyone gets home safely at the end of the day.”

Farmers encouraged to make a plan to vote

Naig joined Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate at a news conference Monday to get out the vote and urge farmers to take advantage of early voting options as delayed harvests are making for busy schedules. 

Republicans Naig and Pate are running for reelection to their seats – Naig against water quality activist and researcher Chris Jones and Pate against Democrat Ryan Peterman.

The secretaries join officials and activists on both sides of the aisle in pushing Iowans to take advantage of early voting options. On Saturday, participants in the No Kings protests across the country, including events in Iowa encouraged voters to request their absentee ballots. The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail was 5 p.m. Oct. 19, but voters can request absentee ballots in person at county election offices or satellite voting locations until Nov. 2. 

Naig said that with farmers behind schedule for harvest, he wanted to remind farmers to “have a plan.” 

“Take advantage of the opportunity to vote early when you’re running to town for parts or something else, or you have a rainy day,” Naig said. “Go ahead and get over to the courthouse and cast your vote. And certainly, if you are not able to do that, have a plan to vote on November 3.” 

According to Pate’s office, more than 210,000 Iowans had requested absentee ballots as of Oct. 16, and just over 61,000 absentee ballots had been returned. Absentee ballots must be returned to the appropriate county auditor’s office by the time the polls close at 8 p.m. Nov. 3. 

Pate, speaking at the news conference Monday, encouraged Iowans who have requested a ballot to return them early. 

“Today we are 15 days out until the Election, and we want to make sure all Iowans have a plan to be successful in voting,” Pate said. “Particularly, our farm friends and their families, and all the people associated with the ag community.” 

Voting information including a county auditor list, polling locations, voter registration and absentee ballot information can be found on the Iowa Secretary of State’s website.