Soybean harvest virtually complete

DES MOINES — Warm, dry weather prevailed across a majority of Iowa resulting in 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Nov. 12, 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.

“Unseasonably warm temperatures were observed across the Upper Midwest over the reporting period with positive departures approaching 10 degrees in Western Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 45.0 degrees, 7.0 degrees above normal,” State Climatologist Justin Glisan said. “Precipitation was also lacking across the state with stations in Eastern Iowa registering measurable, but below-normal totals.”

Topsoil moisture conditions around the state continued to fall above Southeast Iowa’s, with wide averages of 17% very short, 41% short, 41% adequate and 1 percent surplus, compared to the region’s 36% very short, 35% short, 28% adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Subsoil moisture conditions followed a similar trend. Southeast Iowa’s ratings were 48% very short, 29% short, 21% adequate and 2 percent surplus. Statewide data shows ratings of 27% very short, 42% short, 30% adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn harvested for grain reached 94% statewide, on pace with last year but 10 days ahead of the 5-year average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain remained steady at 16 percent. In Southeast Iowa, the corn harvest is 93% complete, barely behind the state average.

The statewide soybean harvest, meanwhile, is nearly complete, on pace with last year and 9 days ahead of the average.

Cattle continued to graze on stalk fields this week, while livestock producers still had concerns about water supplies.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com