By Andi Anderson
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s latest weekly weather summary reported that farmers took advantage of dry conditions to complete much of the state’s harvest.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said that compared with the five-year average, most soybean fields and three-quarters of corn acres are usually harvested by late October. This year’s favorable weather allowed some producers to finish early and move on to other field work.
Naig noted that many parts of the state also experienced the first hard freeze of the season as overnight temperatures dropped.
While scattered rain may briefly slow progress, forecasts suggest any delays will be short-lived, with warmer and drier conditions expected to return as November begins.
According to State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan, temperatures moderated to near normal after several weeks of unseasonably warm weather. Iowa experienced its first widespread frost and freeze, marking the end of the growing season for many areas.
The statewide average temperature for the week was 50°F, matching the 30-year climatological mean.
Most of the state remained dry, with precipitation departures greater than half an inch below normal at many stations. The highest rainfall total, 0.44 inch, was recorded in Osage, while many areas in western and southern Iowa saw little to no measurable rain.
Clarinda reported the week’s highest temperature at 74°F, while Vinton recorded the lowest at 21°F. Despite gusty winds and cooler temperatures midweek, conditions were ideal for fieldwork and harvest operations.
Overall, the week’s weather supported excellent progress across Iowa’s farms. With the majority of crops harvested, attention now turns to post-harvest activities as the state transitions toward winter field preparation.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-dmaroscar
Categories: Iowa, Harvesting, Weather