Iowa Crop Report, November 12, 2017

Limited precipitation during the week ending November 12, 2017, allowed an average of 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork statewide, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Harvest has begun to wind down as many Iowa farmers were able to work in their fields throughout the week. Additional fieldwork activities this past week included baling corn stalks, tillage, applying fertilizers and manure, tiling, seeding CRP and hauling grain.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 3 percent very short, 10 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 6 percent very short, 17 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Eighty-five percent of the corn for grain crop has been harvested, one week behind last year and the 5-year average. Moisture content of corn being harvested for grain averaged 17 percent.

Only northwest and north central Iowa have 90 percent or more of their corn for grain crop harvested. Ninety-seven percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, equal to last year but 5 days behind average.

Livestock conditions were reported as normal with no concerns. There were also reports of cattle grazing in recently harvested fields with little hay being fed.

Source:  Iowa Dept. of Ag