In addition to Iowa farmers chopping their corn for silage, they started harvesting for grain or seed the week of Aug. 20-26, according to the Iowa Crop & Weather report.

“The crop continues to mature rapidly and will likely result in a record early harvest in many parts of the state this year,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.

The report added 96 percent of corn has reached the dough stage, 82 percent has reached the dent stage and 27 percent is mature. The report stated pods are setting on 98 percent of soybeans, with 19 percent turning color, and they’re dropping leaves. The third cutting alfalfa hay is also 95 percent complete.

Mark Hanna, Iowa State University extension agricultural engineer, said, “The likelihood of warmer-than-normal temperatures at harvest time due to an early harvest means even more sparks could ignite during the 2012 harvest season.”

Hanna advised farmers to keep farm machinery clean, particularly around the engine and engine compartment.

“Use a high-pressure washer or compressed air to remove caked-on oil, grease and crop residue,” he said. “Check coolant and oil levels daily. Repair leaking fuel or oil hoses, fittings or metal lines immediately.”

Out in the field, Hanna said, farmers should carry a cell phone, two ABC-type fire extinguishers (a smaller 10-pound unit in the cab and a larger 20-pound extinguisher at ground level on the combine) and a shovel to throw dirt on small flames.

The average temperature in Kentucky for the week ending Aug. 28 was spot-on normal at 75 degrees. State high temperatures in the west averaged 4 degrees more than those in the east, and low temperatures in the east were 3 degrees lower than the lows in the western part of the state.

The highest temperature during the period was 98 at Mayfield and the lowest reading was 49 at Frankfort.

The latest report from NASS’ Kentucky office said the overall average condition of the state’s moisture-hungry corn crop was rated as 83 percent poor, and only 3  percent was rated in the good or excellent category. Sixty-eight percent was reported to have reached the mature stage. That is more than twice the crop average under last year’s conditions.

The condition of Kentucky soybeans was reported as being nearly one-half poor and one-half fair-to-excellent. Pod setting of soybeans was reported to be 87 percent complete at that date, with 13 percent of the plants reported to be at leaf-dropping stage.

Statewide, the tobacco crop progress is reported to be behind last year, with 70 percent of the burley having reached topping and 22 percent being already cut. Dark tobacco too is behind, with 22 percent cut compared to 35 percent last year and 36 for the five-year average.

Kentucky pastureland was said to be needing rain and pasture conditions were listed at 23 percent very poor, 26 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 16 percent good and 2 percent excellent.

Finally, a new soybean virus was reported as being “fairly widespread” in the western portion of Kentucky by a member of the University of Kentucky extension faculty. A short report on the Ag College’s Grain Crops Update website Aug. 23 warned farmers to “Look for New Virus Disease in Soybean.”

The educator said not to expect measurable yield losses yet; however, soybean vein necrotic is an emerging disease that merits additional study and monitoring.  The author also wrote, “Look for leaves with faint oak leaf patterns that turn yellow and then brown over the course of 2-3 weeks.”

With the possibility of tropical rains from the remnants of Tropical Depression Isaac coming through the region as of last weekend, Tennessee crops – with the exception of corn – have recovered somewhat, according to the latest report from the NASS Tennessee field office.

Unfortunately for corn producers, they are looking to harvest their lowest yields in 20 years, but there are instances of good news. Jeff Lannom, the county agent in Weakley County, said some excellent dry land corn yields have been reported, as well as some complete disasters.

“Tennessee’s corn production is forecast at 71.3 million bushels, down 26 percent from a year ago. Yields are expected to average 82 bushels per acre, down significantly from 131 bushels per acre in 2011, and 42 bushels less than the five-year average,” noted the NASS report.

Cotton and soybeans could use a little rain, although crop conditions are rated as being favorable, for the most part. As of the Aug. 27 NASS report, state cotton was listed as being 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 30 fair, 54 percent good and 7 percent excellent.

For soybeans, 4 percent of the crop was rated as very poor, 12 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 32 percent good and 8 percent excellent.

Most of Tennessee’s tobacco crop has been topped, although the cutting stage is a bit behind last year. The crop is rated as 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 45 percent good and 11 percent excellent.

Pastures are listed as being 9 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 32 percent good and 5 percent excellent.