Iowa farmers make good progress on soybean harvest

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa farmers are making good progress on the state’s soybean harvest as the dry and windy weather continue to help dry the crop.

The conditions also mean a continued risk of fires and farmers are urged to be careful while working in the fields.

The weekly crop report on Tuesday shows almost 50 percent of the state’s soybean crop was harvested last week, with the total harvest now at 70 percent complete. That’s behind last year’s 74 percent but five days ahead of the average. Sixty-five percent of the soybeans are in good or excellent condition.

The report says 95 percent of the corn crop is mature, and 27 percent has been harvested for grain or seed. Fifty-nine percent of the corn is in good or excellent shape.