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Rain, warm temperatures slow field work
Iowa
Despite precipitation corn harvest is close to wrapping up. Reporters in the southern section of Iowa note there are still some remaining corn fields. Rain, drizzle and wet soils were slowing progress. Rain also added to the uncertainty of storage challenges presented this year. Fall tillage, fertilizer and manure application continued, with some producers in the northern third of the state noting that tillage is nearly completed.
There were 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Iowa. Topsoil moisture rated 2 percent very short, 10 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 18 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 6 percent very short, 22 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.
The corn acreage harvested for grain or seed reached 94 percent, two weeks behind last year and 11 days behind the 5-year average of 99 percent harvested.
Fall fertilizer application in preparation for the 2005 season was 41 percent complete statewide. Grain movement from farm to elevator was rated 24 percent none, 33 percent light, 30 percent moderate, and 13 percent heavy. Off-farm grain storage availability rated 66 percent short, 33 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. On-farm grain storage availability rated 68 percent short, and 32 percent adequate. Hay and roughage availability rated 6 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus. Quality of hay and roughage supplies rated 5 percent poor, 31 percent fair, and 64 percent good. Utilization of stubble fields for grazing rated 35 percent none, 22 percent light, 34 percent moderate, and 9 percent heavy.
Overall livestock condition was good. Grazing of corn stalks by cattle continued. Some movement of calves and culled cows was reported despite being slowed by wet field and feedlot conditions. Cloudy, muddy conditions were also blamed for above normal shipping fever problems in cattle being placed in feed lots.
Date: 11/24/04
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