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Harvest continues despite rainIowa While southeast Iowa received enough moisture to warrant flood concerns during the week ending Nov. 22, much of the state stayed dry enough to keep harvesting equipment running at a steady pace, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office, Nov. 23. Commercial and on-farm storage bins are starting to fill quickly with covered corn piles starting to be reported. The continued frustrations of dealing with wet corn are still evident as semi trucks wait in long lines to be unloaded at elevators. As producers complete their harvest, they quickly shift to fall field work and fertilizer application. There were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, compared to 4.9 days last year. Topsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 79 percent adequate, and 19 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 24 percent surplus. Grain movement was reported at 20 percent none, 29 percent light, 32 percent moderate, and 19 percent heavy. On-farm storage availability rated 27 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus, while off-farm storage availability rated 20 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Reporters estimated 36 percent of cropland had fall applications of fertilizer complete, 6 percentage points ahead of last year, but 13 percentage points behind the five-year average. Corn harvested for grain reached 78 percent, 6 percentage points behind last year and 15 days behind the five-year average. Soybeans harvested reached 98 percent, 2 percentage points behind last year and the five-year average. Use of stubble fields was reported 50 percent none, 28 percent limited, 19 percent moderate, and 3 percent extensive. Hay and roughage availability is currently rated 8 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. The quality of hay and roughage is currently rated 8 percent poor, 48 percent fair, and 44 percent good.
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