For Immediate Release: October 2, 2018
DES
MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today commented on the Iowa
Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural
Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through
November.
“Harvest
is making steady progress despite soggy conditions across the state, with 11
percent of corn and 15 percent of soybeans harvested. The rains have helped
pasture conditions, but have caused some delays getting the crop out. Many
farmers are anxious for drier conditions, and hopefully weather will
cooperate.”
The
weekly report is also available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov or on USDA’s
site at www.nass.usda.gov/ia. The report
summary follows here:
CROP
REPORT
Soggy
conditions persisted for yet another week leaving Iowa farmers just 3.1 days
suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 30, 2018, according to
the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Activities for the week
included seeding cover crops and harvesting corn, soybeans and hay when weather
permitted.
Topsoil
moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 3 percent short, 69 percent
adequate and 27 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 3 percent very
short, 5 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 25 percent surplus. While
topsoil moisture supplies in south central Iowa have improved to above 70
percent rated adequate to surplus, subsoil moisture levels still rated 59
percent short to very short.
Eighty-eight
percent of the corn crop was mature, just over a week ahead of average. Eleven
percent of the State’s corn for grain crop has been harvested, 5 days ahead of
average. Farmers in southeast Iowa continue to lead the way with 29 percent of
their corn for grain harvested. Moisture content of field corn being harvested
was at 21 percent. Corn condition rated 75 percent good to excellent.
Nearly
all of the soybean crop was coloring with 88 percent dropping leaves, 9 days
ahead of average. Fifteen percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, 1 day
ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent.
The
third cutting of alfalfa hay was nearly complete at 98 percent. Pasture
conditions improved slightly to 53 percent good to excellent. Pastures have
responded well to recent rains and cooler temperatures. Muddy conditions made
feedlots challenging.
IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
By Dr. Justin Glisan, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
The last week of September brought cooler temperatures, averaging up to four degrees below normal. Iowa’s center third had above average rainfall sandwiched between below average accumulations in northern and southern Iowa. Monday (24th) was warm and dry, with average highs between 70 and 80 degrees. The warmest conditions were found in northern Iowa, where highs were up to eight degrees above normal. A cold front moved rapidly across Iowa on Tuesday (25th), bringing locally heavy rainfall to the state’s central and eastern portions. Toledo (Tama County) reported the week’s highest accumulation of 2.18 inches. Some storms turned severe with 60 mph wind gusts and tree damage reported in Linn County. A brief tornado touchdown occurred in Mechanicsville (Cedar County) causing minor damage. Wednesday (26th) was a pleasant day across Iowa with abundant sunshine and unseasonably cool temperatures. Daytime highs averaged in the mid-60s and overnight lows dipped into the lower 40s. Another cold front moved across Iowa on Thursday (27th) bringing light rain showers to the state’s northern half. Guttenberg (Clayton County) reported 0.58 inches of rainfall. Average highs were in the mid-60s, up to eight degrees cooler than normal. Rain continued into an unseasonably cool Friday (28th) with measurable rainfall across much of Iowa. This trend continued into Saturday (29th) and Sunday (30th) with spotty showers and thunderstorms across portions of Iowa. Accumulations were generally under an inch both days. Weekend temperatures were unseasonably cool, with highs in the upper 50s to lower 60s. Holstein (Ida County) observed a high of 48 degrees on Saturday, almost 24 degrees below average; this was the week’s coolest reading. The warmest observation was in Burlington (Des Moines County) with a high of 82 degrees on Wednesday, 10 degrees above average. Statewide average rainfall was about 0.08 inches above the normal of 0.72 inches.
###
For more information, contact Dustin Vande Hoef, (515) 281-3375 or (515) 326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov
|