tamatoleodnews.com – DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey commented on Monday, Nov. 9, 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 dry and windy weather was welcome news for farmers across the state of Iowa,” Northey said. “Soybean harvesting is quickly rapping up and the corn is drying down which will help with the continued harvest. Northey continued, “The other good news was the recent Governor’s proclamation suspending the hours of service requirement for truck drivers delivering propane. This will allow propane drivers to be on the road longer to deliver much needed fuel to farmers for drying grain”.

COMBINES RUNNING NON-STOP

Iowa farmers finally received a much needed week of dry, sunny, and warm weather. Producers took advantage as combines ran non-stop on ground dry enough to support harvesting equipment. With driers running at capacity, grain moisture issues are starting to bottleneck corn movement and slow the harvest pace. However, strong winds and above average temperatures for November could help limit the time needed in driers.

There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, compared to the five-year average of 5.6 days. Topsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 26 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 27 percent surplus.

Grain movement was reported at 27 percent none, 34 percent light, 23 percent moderate, and 16 percent heavy. On-farm storage availability rated 16 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus, while off-farm storage availability rated 9 percent short, 84 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Reporters estimated 11 percent of cropland had fall applications of fertilizer complete.

Field Crops Report: Corn harvested for grain reached 34 percent, 25 percentage points behind last year and 20 days behind the five-year average. Moisture content of all corn in the field is estimated at 25 percent, 5 percentage points higher than last year. Moisture content of corn being harvested is estimated at 22 percent, 4 percentage points higher than last year. Corn lodging is rated 66 percent none, 26 percent light, 7 percent moderate, and 1 percent heavy. Ear droppage is rated 76 percent none, 20 percent light, 3 percent moderate, and 1 percent heavy. Corn condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 22 percent excellent.

Soybeans harvested reached 83 percent, 13 percentage points behind last year and 22 days behind the five-year average. Soybean lodging is rated 73 percent none, 21 percent light, 5 percent moderate, and 1 percent heavy. Soybeans shattering is rated 72 percent none, 22 percent light, 5 percent moderate, and 1 percent heavy.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture and range condition rated 3 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. With harvest lagging behind normal, use of stubble fields was reported 64 percent none, 28 percent limited, 7 percent moderate, and 1 percent extensive. Hay and roughage availability is currently rated 7 percent short, 83 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus.