Southeast Iowa soy harvest 95% finished, corn close behind

DES MOINES — Colder than normal temperatures but dry weather led to 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Nov. 5, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included harvesting corn and soybeans, completing fall tillage, applying fall fertilizer, baling stalks, and hauling manure.

“A generally quiet weather pattern set up over Iowa as measurable precipitation was only reported at northern and southeastern stations,” State Climatologist Justin Glisan said. “Unseasonably cold conditions also blanketed the Upper Midwest with negative departures of up to 10 degrees reported across southwestern Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 36.5 degrees, 7.5 degrees below normal.”

Statewide, topsoil moisture condition rated 15% very short, 40% short, 44% adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 27% very short, 43% short, 29% adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Southeast Iowa continues to fare worse on those measures despite getting slightly more rainfall last week, with topsoil moisture at 33% very short, 47% short, 19% adequate and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture in the region was 48% very short, 36% short, 15% adequate and 1% surplus.

Corn harvested for grain reached 89% statewide, a day ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the 5-year average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was at 16 percent. That means statewide harvests have finally caught up to the Southeast region, where the USDA says only 87% of corn was harvested for grain.

Soybeans harvested reached 97% across Iowa, on pace with last year but 9 days ahead of the average. In the Southeast region, the number was 95%.

Livestock reports included calves being weaned and cattle being turned out onto stalk fields.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com