Iowa corn harvest 88 percent complete

DES MOINES (AP) ? The corn harvest is 88 percent complete in Iowa, about 8 percentage points ahead of normal and soybeans are 98 percent done, three days ahead of average.

?Farmers are trying to wrap up harvest and complete additional fall field work, including tillage, fertilizer applications and conservation practice construction,? said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. ?That 12 percent of the corn crop still in the field represents an estimated $1 billion worth of grain yet to be harvested in Iowa.?

The Iowa Crops and Weather report is released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. It is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship?s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov or on USDA?s site at www.nass.usda.gov/ia.

The report released Tuesday states there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week that ended Sunday. Other activities for the week included the application of anhydrous ammonia and fertilizers. High moisture corn was a concern for farmers with fields left to be harvested.

Grain movement from farm to elevator was rated 51 percent moderate to heavy. Ninety-five percent of Iowa reported adequate or surplus off-farm grain storage availability and 85 percent reported adequate or surplus on-farm grain storage availability.

Above normal precipitation during the week improved soil moisture levels. Topsoil moisture levels rated 10 percent very short, 27 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 23 percent very short, 36 percent short, 40 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Hay supplies were considered 14 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus across Iowa with over 90 percent rated in fair to good condition.