tamatoledonews.com DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey 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 recent weather has moved both corn and beans rapidly towards maturity and as a result widespread harvest will likely begin very soon,” Northey said.

2010 FALL HARVEST UNDERWAY

Agricultural Summary: After two weeks of mostly dry weather, rain moved back into Iowa. Localized rains accumulated more than 3 inches in parts of Iowa. Aside from rain, temperatures climbed back into the eighties with evening temperatures dipping into the high forties and low fifties. Several windy days aided in drying crops, as early reports indicate corn moisture levels in the mid to high twenties. Along with promoting crop progression, last week’s weather also benefitted livestock as light rains and lower humidity levels relieved some stress the previous few weeks had caused.

Iowa’s corn continued to progress ahead of average. Chopping corn for silage and harvesting seed corn are in full swing, with harvesting for grain beginning in early planted fields. While corn is rapidly turning color and maturing, soybeans are mostly remaining green aside from acres affected by sudden death syndrome. However, progress is still ahead of last year. Hay production also progressed last week with producers continuing their third cutting, with some moving onto a fourth cutting. Pastures remain adequate for grazing, and should have enough moisture to provide growth for the remainder of the season.

There were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork last week, compared to 6.3 days the previous week. All but Southeast Iowa, at 4.3 days suitable, reported 4.7 days or more with Northwest Iowa reporting the highest number of days, at 5.8 days suitable. Topsoil moisture rated 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus.

Field Crops Report: Nearly all the corn acres have entered dough stage, 90 percent of the crop has started to dent, and 34 percent has reached maturity; all three are at least 9 days ahead of last year and the five-year average. Corn has begun to be harvested and its condition decreased slightly to 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 23 percent excellent. Forty-five percent of the soybean acres have turned color, ahead of last year’s 26 percent and the five-year average of 39 percent. Leaves have begun to drop in 9 percent of the soybean acres, 3 days ahead of last year, but 1 day behind the five-year average. Soybean condition also decreased slightly to 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 22 percent excellent. Alfalfa third cutting increased 12 percentage points to 81 percent complete, ahead of the 70 percent completed last year and the five-year average of 78 percent. All hay condition rated 4 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 13 percent excellent.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture and range condition rated 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 18 percent excellent. There have been no reports of any widespread livestock concerns; however isolated cases of pink-eye in cattle and high populations of insects have been reported.