Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today 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.
“We have had an unbelievable year, but thankfully the harvest season is almost complete,” Northey said. “Let’s hope the weather cooperates this week so folks can get out in the fields.”
The weekly report is also available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov. The report follows here:
HARVEST NEARING COMPLETION
Agricultural Summary: The 2008 harvest season is nearing it’s close as we enter December. Application of fall fertilizer advanced to 43 percent complete despite poor ground conditions in many areas. Progress is far behind last year’s 76 percent and trails the 66 percent average for this date.
There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, compared with 5.4 days the previous week. Topsoil moisture is rated 1 percent very short, 3 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture is rated 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus.
Grain movement from farm to elevator is rated 30 percent no movement, 41 percent light, 26 percent moderate, and 3 percent heavy. Off-farm grain storage availability is rated 14 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. On-farm storage availability is rated 22 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus.
Field Crops Report: The corn harvest advanced to 94 percent complete. Normally, only 1 percent of the acreage remains unharvested by this date. Harvest is nearly complete in the Northwest and North-central districts, but still lags in the South-central district where nearly 20 percent of the crop is stilling standing. In the East-central district, 13 percent of the corn acreage is still in the field.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Availability of hay and roughage for livestock feed rated 10 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus with a rated quality of 9 percent poor, 50 percent fair, and 41 percent good. Grazing of stubble ground rated 42 percent none, 29 percent limited, 25 percent moderate, and 4 percent extensive.