The weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows Iowa’s corn and soybean harvest three weeks ahead of last year and two weeks ahead of average.

Harvested corn for grain is at 65%, and only 10% of the soybean crop is left to be harvested. The report states that farmers in south central Iowa have about two-thirds of their corn for grain yet to be harvested. While other areas of the state are ahead on the corn harvest, ISU Extension and Outreach Field Agronomist Mike Witt says Guthrie County is about finished for soybeans, “When it comes to soybean harvest here in Guthrie County and in other places around locally, a lot of the soybean harvest is done and is completed. And with corn we do have quite a lot done but we are, how will I say, done with the easy part and now a lot of times we’re in the downed corn or some of the drought or derecho-damaged corn which is just going to be a slower part of the harvest season.”

Though clearing the fields of damaged corn is tiresome work for local farmers, Witt reminds them to take their time and not figuratively cut corners. Farmers had 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork last week, with activities including baling corn stalks, applying fertilizer and manure, and fall tillage.