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Crop maturation acceleratesIowa Heavy rainfall shortened the work week for many Iowa farmers during the week ending Sept. 14, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office, Sept. 15. The precipitation reduced moisture shortages in some areas and produced isolated but significant surpluses in parts of southern and southeastern Iowa. Statewide, topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies were mostly adequate. Cool temperatures and ample moisture supplies promoted forage growth, but wet fields limited hay harvest. Farmers chopped corn silage and harvested seed corn when weather permitted. There were 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 5.5 days last year at this time. Topsoil moisture is rated 5 percent very short, 13 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 14 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture is rated 4 percent very short, 17 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus. Corn at or beyond the dough stage advanced to 92 percent, 2 weeks later than last year and the five-year average. Normally, 99 percent is at or beyond the dough stage by this date. Seventy-one percent of the corn has reached the dent stage. Denting progress lags more than 2 weeks behind last year's 95 percent pace and nearly 2 weeks behind the 5-year average of 92 percent. Eleven percent of the corn is mature, compared with last year's 61 percent and the 5- year average of 45 percent. Corn condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 15 percent excellent. Fifty-eight percent of the soybeans are turning color, 8 days behind last year's 79 percent pace and 1 week behind the 5-year average of 82 percent. Soybeans dropping leaves advanced to 16 percent, compared with 46 percent last year and 44 percent normally shedding leaves by this date. Soybean condition is rated at 3 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 13 percent excellent. The third cutting of alfalfa progressed to 71 percent complete, 20 percentage points behind last year and 23 percentage points behind the five-year average. All hay condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 9 percent excellent. Pasture and range condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 9 percent excellent. 9/22/08 Date: 9/16/08
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