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Iowa Crops 99% Harvested as Dry Conditions Persist
19 Nov
Summary
- Just 3% of corn and 1% of soybean acres remain unharvested in Iowa.
- Soil moisture is critically low in eastern Iowa, with over 39% short.
- Farmers had 6.4 days suitable for field work due to dry, warm weather.
Iowa's agricultural sector is on the cusp of completing its annual harvest, with a mere 3% of corn acres and 1% of soybean acres remaining unplowed. This progress aligns closely with recent years' averages, despite a pause in reporting due to government shutdowns. The state's crop progress report highlights that the agricultural operations are in their final stages.
Soil conditions across Iowa are notably dry, with average topsoil and subsoil moisture levels being adequate for only about 62-63% of the state. Eastern Iowa is experiencing the most significant dryness, with up to 57% of its soils categorized as short. Precipitation has been minimal, falling far below the typical amount for this period.
Despite the dry conditions, farmers were afforded approximately 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork in the week of November 10-16. Warm temperatures, which fluctuated from significantly below normal at the week's start to considerably above normal by its end, facilitated this final harvest push and enabled farmers to transition to other essential field tasks.
