Iowa Weekly Crop Report, October 11, 2015

Warm and dry weather allowed Iowa farmers to harvest nearly one-third of the State’s soybean crop during the week ending October 11, 2015, according the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork, the most days suitable for fieldwork this season. Fieldwork activities for the week included cutting hay, harvesting corn for grain, harvesting soybeans, and fall tillage. There were also reports of manure and fertilizer being spread, as well as some grain hauling.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.

Ninety-six percent of the corn crop was mature, 8 days ahead of last year, and 4 days ahead of the 5-year average. Twenty-nine percent of the corn crop for grain has been harvested, 12 days ahead of last year, but 5 days behind average. Moisture content of all corn being harvested was at 19 percent, down 2 percentage points from the previous week. Corn condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Ninety-five percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, 3 days ahead of normal. Sixty-five percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, 10 days ahead of last year.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay is nearly complete, 11 days behind the average. Pasture condition rated 62 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were described as good, with mild temperatures and little to no rain.

Iowa Dept. of Ag