Harvest nearing in some parts of Iowa

Corn and soybean crops made rapid progress last week, according to the USDA's weekly crop report.

The report said harvest could begin in a few weeks in some parts of the state, where corn is beginning to turn color and ears have dropped.

The past week was the longest span without rain in the entire growing season, the report said, although western Iowa received light showers.

The hot dry weather was a big boost to hay production. Cattle farmers used the dry weather to harvest silage.

The report found some instances of white mold in corn, and sudden death syndrome in soybeans.

The condition of the corn crop was rated 25 percent excellent, 44 percent good, 20 percent fair, 7 percent poor and 4 percent very poor.

The soybean crop was reported 24 percent excellent, 45 percent good, 21 percent fair, 7 percent poor and 3 percent very poor.

The report found 94 percent of the state's corn crop had reached the dough stage and 77 percent had reached the dent stage. Only 8 percent of the corn was mature and safe from frost.