Early reports suggest variable yields as Iowa farmers take advantage of ideal conditions and head into the fields for the 2024 corn and soybean harvest.

Iowa’s corn and soybean harvest has kicked into high gear this week as farmers take advantage of near perfect weather to bring in this year’s crop.

Early reports from across the state suggest variable yields de­­pending on planting date and the amount of moisture that fell during the year. Even more important has been when fields received that critical shot of rain throughout the growing season.

Shelby County Farm Bureau member Gabe Ferry said harvest is in full swing at the family operation near Kirkman. He said the 2024 growing season has been a good reminder that rain does still fall from the sky in Iowa — a refreshing realization after three years of drought.

“This last month has been pretty dry, but a couple of beneficial rains we got really filled out our beans,” he said Sept. 26. “Beans are looking really good going into harvest. I think yields are going be good this year. Prices being where they are, we need every bushel this...