Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Iowans enjoyed a gorgeous holiday weekend to wrap up August, with cool and mostly dry weather that was ideal for spending time outdoors,” said Secretary Naig. “As we start September, many farmers will be busy chopping silage and baling hay, while others are beginning to gear up for harvest. Now is also a great time to plan for seeding cover crops and adding other conservation practices to fields after harvest.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report
With only spotty precipitation, Iowa farmers had 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 31, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting and baling hay.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus.

Corn in the dough stage or beyond reached 92 percent this week. Sixty-three percent of the corn crop reached the dent stage or beyond, 2 days ahead of last year, but 2 days behind the five-year average. Nine percent of corn has matured. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 58 percent good and 26 percent excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 95 percent. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 19 percent, 1 day ahead of last year, but 1 day behind average. There were scattered reports of soybeans dropping leaves. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 58 percent good and 19 percent excellent. Oat harvest was virtually complete.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 87 percent complete. Pasture condition rated 72 percent good to excellent.