Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today commented on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through October.
“The cold wet weather across the state last week pushed corn and bean harvest further behind normal, I’m hopeful conditions will start to cooperate so farmers can finish harvesting,” Northey said.
The weekly report is also available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov. The report follows here:
RAIN DELAYS CONTINUE
Agricultural Summary: Another week of widespread rain pushed corn harvest further behind normal. Some producers harvested corn in wet field conditions. Soybean harvest was also delayed by muddy fields. Fall fertilizer applications are estimated at 21 percent complete, far behind the 46 percent average for this date.
There were 2.1 days suitable for fieldwork, compared with 6.8 days last year at this time. Topsoil moisture is rated 3 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 33 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture is rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus.
Grain movement from farm to elevator was slightly slower than the previous week with 27 percent no movement, 33 percent rated light, 31 percent rated moderate, and 9 percent rated heavy. Off-farm grain storage availability rated 11 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. On-farm storage availability rated 20 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus.
Field Crops Report: The corn harvest advanced to 70 percent complete, more than 2 weeks behind last year’s 96 percent pace and the five-year average of 95 percent. Harvested corn averaged 19 percent moisture, compared with 18 percent one week ago. Soybean harvest, at 98 percent complete, trails last year’s 99 percent. Normally, soybean harvest is complete by this date.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Availability of hay and roughage for livestock feed rated 10 percent short, 83 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus with a rated quality of 8 percent poor, 47 percent fair, and 45 percent good. Baling of corn stalks was hampered by poor field conditions.