Iowa Field Reports: Harvest Update – How Are Things Going?

With harvest underway throughout the state, take a look at what ISU Extension and Outreach discipline agronomists are listening to relating to how harvest goes, how are the crops yielding, and what varieties of end-of-the season points they’re receiving questions on.

Northwest Iowa

Gentry Sorenson (Area 2): “Corn and Soybean harvest is underway in NW Iowa. Most farmers are specializing in soybeans harvest at present as circumstances have been good to make vital harvest progress. I’ve heard a wide range of yield outcomes throughout the world, with good yields reported in areas that had ample rainfall.  Areas which have had drought stress to extreme drought stress are reporting impacted soybean yields from the drought.

“I’ve had cellphone calls associated to inexperienced stem syndrome soybeans within the counties that I serve in addition to purple soybean stems in soybeans.  After analysis of some corn fields earlier than harvest, I famous tar spot and northern corn leaf blight had been present in a number of fields.  A map of the counties in Iowa that tar spot was detected will be discovered right here.

“As seed selections are made for the 2023 rising season it is very important perceive the illness rankings of corn hybrids and soybean varieties going into the rising season to make necessary agronomic selections subsequent rising season.  Cellphone calls consisted of questions on corn and soybean illness and inexperienced stem syndrome soybeans.”

North Central Iowa

Angie Rieck-Hinz (Area 3): “Harvest is in full swing in NC Iowa. The crop report as of Monday indicated 8% of the corn was harvested and 27% of the beans are harvested.  In some areas farmers report they’re completed harvesting beans, some have simply began beans after taking out some corn, some are largely achieved with corn, and a few are simply beginning corn.

“It’s a combined bag, identical to all the rising season. Yields are additionally extremely variable and depending on rainfall throughout the world. Harvest circumstances have been supreme so far, with decrease humidity and continued dry down of crops.

“Whereas areas proceed to point out up on the drought monitor, the drier areas for September included areas like Northwood, Mason Metropolis and Hampton which all averaged over 2.25 inches beneath regular for September rainfall- a doable indication that drought circumstances are persevering with to creep eastward.”

Northeast Iowa

Josh Michel (Area 5): “Over the previous two weeks, only some areas in NE Iowa have obtained as much as 0.10 inch of rainfall. On September twenty eighth, we additionally noticed temperature lows all the way down to 29°F in some remoted areas; leading to a killing frost for any corn and soybean fields that weren’t absolutely mature but. Corn grain harvest has simply began all through the area because the final fields being harvested for silage are ending up.

“With lower than 10 p.c of fields mixed to this point, yield reviews have been broadly variable. An estimated 80 p.c of soybean fields have dropped their leaves. Lower than 10 p.c of soybean fields have been harvested as far as nicely. As anticipated, yield reviews have additionally been broadly variable. I’d count on corn and soybean harvest to return into full swing this week as we’ve got favorable climate circumstances.

“The chilly temperatures additionally prompted a number of questions pertaining to feeding forages that will have obtained chilly accidents. Fortunately, a killing frost for alfalfa is taken into account to be round 24°F for a minimum of just a few hours. Whereas we didn’t obtain a killing frost, there might be some remoted areas with gentle frost injury.

“This was a giant sigh of aid as a lot of our alfalfa fields will want some addition development earlier than winter. Pastures proceed to look good, though some are beginning to look slightly dry. Most of my discipline calls over the previous week have consisted of ending up silage harvest, forage administration and cold-injury considerations, and weed administration in pastures.”

Southwest Iowa:

Aaron Saeugling (Area 10): “Harvest is nicely underway in SW Iowa. Corn harvest started with silage and excessive moisture corn being harvested first with variable yields from lows within the 50 bushel/acre vary in dry areas to raised rainfall areas being nearer to the 200 bushel/acre vary. Some standability points have been noticed in corn and people fields shall be focused for early harvest.

Grain Information on AgFax Unable to show feed at the moment.

“Corn illness appears to be extra prevalent than initially thought with gray leaf spot and tar spot being essentially the most distinguished. Soybean harvest actually acquired a leap begin over the weekend, and I count on with good climate this week most of the soybeans shall be harvested. Getting reviews of inexperienced stems and dry soybeans being frequent. Yields are common for many farmers, and shall be mid 50’s to low 60’s.

“Pastures are in poor to very poor circumstances relying on the September rainfall totals. I count on a big quantity of corn stalks to be baled for winter feed. Watch out when contemplating fall tillage on account of poor subsoil circumstances and the shortage of precipitation potential within the long-term forecast.”

East Central, Southeast, and South-Central Iowa:

Rebecca Vittetoe (Area 8): “Combines first began rolling about two weeks in the past in a part of EC Iowa, however they actually began rolling over the past week. I’d estimate that about 15-20% of the soybeans have been harvested throughout the counties I cowl, and about 15% of corn has been harvested. Based mostly on the yield reviews I’ve heard, yields are variable.

“One remark I’ve been listening to lots about soybeans this yr is the variety of leaves, particularly inexperienced leaves, nonetheless on the vegetation regardless that the grain moisture is good for harvest. On the corn facet, proceed to scout for stalk rots and watch stalk high quality, and I’ve additionally had some questions asking about “the sting or border impact” in corn, particularly in among the drier areas in EC Iowa.

“Forages may benefit from some rain right here this fall. Additionally, don’t neglect that fall is usually a nice time to manage a few of our perennial or biennial weeds in pastures or hayfields.”