News

Another dry week in Iowa

Dry and windy weather accelerated crop dry down and provided the opportunity to harvest nearly half of Iowa’s soybean crop last week. Unfortunately, reports of soybean shattering and field fires increased. The lack of moisture has also delayed development of fall seeded crops.

27% of Iowa’s corn crop has been harvested for grain or seed, three days behind 2010 but five days ahead of the five year average. The moisture content of the corn still in the field fell 4% from the previous week to an average of 20%, with corn currently being harvested running 18%. Reporters say that corn lodging remains a greater problem than normal. Ear droppage is also heavier than normal. 59% of the corn crop is rated good to excellent.

Soybean harvest is now 70% complete, slightly behind last year, but five days ahead of normal. Soybean shattering levels increased from the previous week to 16% moderate to heavy. 65% of the crop is rated in good to excellent condition.

Over half of the state is now seeing moderate to heavy grain movement from farm to elevator. At this point in the harvest season only 3% of the state reports being short of off farm storage capacity and 7% of the state reports a shortage of on farm storage capacity.

Hay supplies are considered short in 19% of Iowa as many producers are already feeding hay as pasture growth is nonexistent due to dry conditions.