Heavy Rainfall Delays Iowa Corn and Soybean Harvest

Heavy rainfall across Iowa has significantly delayed the corn and soybean harvest, leaving farmers with an average of only 1.7 suitable days for fieldwork during the week ending September 20, 2026. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, only 4% of corn and 2% of soybean acres have been harvested, a pace that trails both the 2025 figures and the five-year average.

State Climatologist Justin Glisan reported a statewide average rainfall of 3.57 inches, more than four times the normal 0.83 inch. Precipitation peaked at 10.63 inches in Ainsworth and triggered flash flood warnings across east central and eastern Iowa, including major flooding along the Turkey River in Muscatine County.

Despite the delays, crop quality remains high, with 76% of corn and 75% of soybeans rated good to excellent. Mike Naig, the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, described the conditions as an extremely soggy week and noted that harvest will fully commence once fields firm up. In conjunction with National Farm Safety and Health Week, Naig urged farmers to prioritize physical safety and mental health to manage the stress and economic pressures of the season.