WATERLOO - Farmers are getting a little anxious to wrap up harvest.

Monday's weekly U.S. Department of Agriculture Crops and Weather Report said another week of widespread rain has pushed the corn harvest further behind normal. With several days of dry weather in the forecast, farmers will make a strong push this week to get the crop in before the snow flies.

The corn harvest, which is normally about finished by now, is more than two weeks behind schedule, the report said. Only 2 percent of Iowa's soybean fields need to be combined.

"Don't stand in anyone's driveway, they are going to go," said George Cummins, Iowa State University Extension crop specialist based in Charles City.

Some farmers harvested corn last in week in wet fields, the report said. In Northeast Iowa, 70 of the corn is out, matching the statewide average.

Ted Hamer of rural Traer hopes to finish combining this week. Poor weather conditions plagued Northeast Iowa farmers at the start of the growing season, leading to delayed planting and less-than-ideal development.

However, Hamer said the corn crop turned out better than expected. Without providing exact yields, he said fields produced at their 10-year-average. In Northeast Iowa, that's 165 bushels per acre, according to ISU statistics.

Hamer credited God for a good corn crop.

"The length of the growing season saved us. That put weight on the ears at the end," he said.

Many farmers like Hamer have also have heard of the saying, "what God giveth, God can taketh away," or some variation of it. And growers don't want to lose any bushels if severe weather hits again.

High winds late last month knocked down corn in the region making it difficult to combine. Another bout with 40 mph to 60 mph winds could knock ears off. Snow causes combines to plug up and not operate efficiently.

"I think (farmers) are all watching the weather forecast," Cummins said.

Harvested corn as of Sunday averaged 19 percent moisture statewide, compared to 18 percent one week ago, the report said. Given the high cost of drying corn, farmers said that makes getting corn out even more critical.

On the bright side, Cummins said last week's wet weather helped grain elevators and producers catch up on grain drying, which was hampering harvest, Cummins said.

Grain movement from farm to elevator was slightly slower than the previous week. The report rated it 27 percent none, 33 percent light, 31 percent moderate and 9 percent heavy.

"I'm hopeful conditions will start to cooperate so farmers can finish harvesting," said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey in a statement.

Contact Matthew Wilde at (319) 291-1579 or matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com.