Slowing the pace of harvest, with some rains that fell this past week. The update comes from the USDA’s Upper Midwest Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, where Doug Decock is the statistician.
“Corn harvested for grain reached 77% statewide, one day ahead of last year and eight days ahead of the five-year average. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain remains steady at 17%. Soybeans harvested reached 93%, on pace with last year, but eight days ahead.”
Of the five-year average, so basically we lost our advantage over last year’s pace and in doing the math, 15% of the state’s corn crop and 5% of the soybean crop was harvested this past week. I mentioned the rainfall, just about four days suitable for field work statewide as a result which is noticeable with improved topsoil moisture conditions.
“Rated 12% very short, 35% short, 51% adequate and two percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 25% very short, 42% short, 31% adequate and two percent surplus.”
Now Iowa does remain ahead of the national average, where 71% of the corn crop has been harvested. That compares to the five-year average of 66% completion and 59% from a year ago. Soybeans harvested nationally, 85% of the crop has been picked. That’s ahead of the 78% of the five-year average. Things are going a little bit smoother here in Iowa compared to everywhere else.
