It's been a great harvest season for area farmers

"The weather has been nearly ideal for harvest," says Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey--and Northeast Iowa farmers would agree.

The weekly report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says 65 percent of soybeans and 29 percent of corn have been harvested so far--and those numbers are expected to improve further as warm and dry weather allowed Iowa farmers to be out in their fields.

96 percent of the corn crop was mature--8 days ahead of last year, and 4 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn condition rated 80 percent good to excellent.

95 percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, 3 days ahead of normal. 65 percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, 10 days ahead of last year. 

Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.