Agriculture

   A handful of Iowa farmers fired up their combines this week to start harvesting corn, according to the latest crop progress and condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

   More than a quarter of corn acres across the state have reached maturity, according to the report, which is ahead of both last year and the five-year average for the reporting period. West central Iowa and the northern regions of the state had lower percentages of mature corn than the rest of the state. 

   Iowa’s statewide pheasant population is at a 20-year high, and state wildlife experts are forecasting a banner year for hunters.

   “The mild winter really put us over the top this year,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “Our adult hen survival was excellent and our adult rooster survival was excellent. That really drove the population increase.”

Iowa farmers are gearing up for harvest season, as the latest crop progress and condition report notes 9% of corn acres across the state have reached maturity and farmers have scattered reports of soybeans dropping leaves.

   The crops continue to develop, with 63% of corn acres across the state now dented and 19% of soybeans coloring, for the reporting period of Aug. 25 through Aug. 31. 

Lake Delhi

   Anglers are catching panfish and bass. Try fishing early mornings and evenings to avoid heavy boat traffic. Black Crappie – Fair: Find structure; use a live minnow under a slip bobber. Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a slip bobber near structure along the shorelines. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast and retrieve topwater baits early morning or late evening. Spinnerbaits and crankbait are productive as well.