Iowa farmers went from having less than half their corn harvested to nearly two-thirds in one week. The soybean harvest reached 90 percent, erasing a six-point gap with the five-year average. In northwest Iowa, Rock Rapids and Primghar each picked up more than an inch of rain early in the week.
The USDA’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report shows 66 percent of the state’s corn had been harvested as of November 1st, up from 47 percent on October 25th. That 19-point gain narrowed the gap with the five-year average from 20 percentage points to 13.
Soybean harvest advanced 12 percentage points, up from 78 percent the week before. Farmers made those gains with 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork, down from 6.4 days the previous week.
Northwest Iowa Rainfall
Northwestern and southern Iowa saw the week’s highest rainfall totals, according to State Climatologist Justin Glisan. Rain on Monday, October 26th, brought 1.20 inches to Rock Rapids in Lyon County and 1.01 inches to Primghar in O’Brien County. Later in the week, the Spencer Municipal Airport recorded the state’s low of 33 degrees on October 29th.
Statewide, precipitation averaged 0.70 inch for the week, compared with the normal half inch. The average temperature was 56.8 degrees, nearly 12 degrees above normal.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said rain in the forecast would help newly seeded cover crops get established. He also urged farmers to check soil temperatures before applying anhydrous ammonia this fall.
“As warmer temperatures continue this fall, I encourage farmers to keep an eye on 4-inch soil temperatures and wait for ‘50 degrees and falling’ before applying anhydrous.”
