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Harvest advances despite rainIowa Soybean harvest made good progress across most of the state despite temporary rain delays during the week ending Oct. 12, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office, Oct. 14. Soybean harvest was most advanced across the northwestern two-thirds of the state, nearing 90 percent complete in many areas. Meanwhile, the southeastern one-third lagged well behind, especially in the south-central district where just under one-fourth of the crop has been harvested. Warm temperatures aided corn ripening, but 16 percent of the crop still has not reached maturity. The corn harvest advanced throughout the state, but progress was limited due to high grain moisture and associated drying costs. There were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 4.0 days last year at this time. Topsoil moisture is rated 2 percent very short, 12 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture is rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Eighty-four percent of the corn is mature, 15 percentage points behind last year and the five-year average of 99 percent. Harvest progressed to 7 percent complete, nearly 3 weeks behind last year's 33 percent pace and more than 2 weeks behind the five-year average of 27 percent. Moisture content of corn in the field is estimated at 27 percent, 7 percentage points higher than the five-year average. Harvested corn is averaging 23 percent moisture, compared with the five-year average of 17 percent. Corn lodging is rated at 76 percent none, 20 percent light, and 4 percent moderate. Overall, the corn crop is rated 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Ninety-four percent of the soybeans are dropping leaves, compared with last year's 98 percent, and the five-year average of 99 percent. Soybean harvest advanced to 68 percent complete, slightly ahead of last year, but 3 days behind the five-year average of 79 percent. Soybean lodging is reported at 79 percent none, 17 percent light, 3 percent moderate, and 1 percent heavy. Soybeans shattering is rated 76 percent none, 19 percent light, 4 percent moderate, and 1 percent heavy. Overall, the soybean crop is rated at 3 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Pasture and range condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. 10/20/08 Date: 10/15/08 Advertisement
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