Harvest season nears end

DES MOINES — Moderate rainfall during the week slowed harvest in some areas as Iowa’s farmers had an average of 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 29, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included harvesting row crops, completing fall tillage, applying fall fertilizer, baling stalks, and hauling manure.

“Several weather disturbances brought widespread rains and the first measurable snow across northwest Iowa late in the reporting period; much of Iowa received above-average precipitation,” State Climatologist Justin Glisan said in the report. “Unseasonable warmth persisted until a Canadian air mass ushered in winterlike temperatures over the weekend; the statewide average was 53.0 degrees, 6.7 degrees above normal.”

Southeast Iowa’s topsoil moisture conditions were 21% very short, 49% short, 27% adequate and 3 percent surplus, according to the report. The region’s subsoil moisture conditions rated 39% very short, 39% short, 19% adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Statewide, soil conditions remained more favorable: Iowa’s average topsoil rated 12% very short, 35% short, 51% adequate and 2 percent surplus, while subsoil moisture condition rated 25% very short, 42% short, 31% adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Corn harvested for grain reached 77% statewide, 1 day ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the 5-year average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain remained steady at 17 percent. In Southeast Iowa, 79% of corn was harvested by the end of the reporting period.

Soybeans harvested reached 93% across the Hawkeye State, on pace with last year but 8 days ahead of the average. In Southeast Iowa, the crop’s harvest surged up to 90% complete, staying slightly behind the state average.

Pasture condition improved slightly to 20% good to excellent statewide. Livestock conditions were reported as generally good but getting water to pastured cattle continued to be an issue for some producers.