While this year’s Iowa corn harvest is weeks ahead of last year and the five-year average, moisture content is low.

The latest Crop Progress and Conditions Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that the moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain remains at 15 percent. Topsoil moisture condition rated 16 percent very short, 36 percent short, 48 percent adequate, and zero percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 23 percent very short, 36 percent short, 41 percent adequate, and zero- percent surplus. Much of Iowa is still experiencing drought conditions, as the U.S. Drought Monitor Report released Thursday shows most of Dallas, Greene, and Guthrie counties under moderate drought, with the southwest corner of Guthrie County under severe drought. A preliminary weather summary from State Climatologist Justin Glisan reported that last week was the driest period experienced across Iowa since the week ending September 20th.