Iowa Agriculture Report

By Andi Anderson

The Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for November 13-19, 2023, unveiled insights into the agricultural landscape in the state. Iowa's Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, expressed gratitude for the hardworking farm families despite numerous challenges, notably a record-breaking 176 weeks of at least D1 drought.

Here's a breakdown of the report's key highlights:

Crop Report:

• Dry and warmer weather persisted, offering 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork.
• Activities included corn harvesting, fall tillage, fertilizer application, and manure hauling.
• Topsoil moisture was 22% very short, 47% short, 31% adequate, and 0% surplus.
• Subsoil moisture was 32% very short, 43% short, 24% adequate, and 1% surplus.
• Corn harvested for grain reached 97% statewide, 10 days ahead of the 5-year average.
• South Central Iowa farmers have over 10% of their corn for grain crop yet to be harvested.
• Cattle continued grazing on stalk fields, with reports of increased calf weaning.

Weather Summary by Justin Glisan, Ph.D.:

• Iowa experienced warm and dry conditions for the second consecutive period.
• Temperatures were up to 12 degrees above normal, averaging 45.5 degrees statewide.
• Rainfall remained scarce, with only five stations reporting more than a trace of rainfall.
• Various weather patterns prevailed, from gusty winds to clear skies, and mild temperatures to hazy conditions.
• Precipitation across the state remained significantly below the normal average.
• Weekly precipitation averaged 0.00 inches statewide against the normal average of 0.43 inches.
• Little Sioux reported the week’s high temperature at 71 degrees, while Mapleton reported the low at 17 degrees.

The report underscores ongoing challenges due to persistent drought and uncharacteristically dry weather. Despite these obstacles, farmers have made significant progress in harvesting, while weather conditions continue to impact crop and soil moisture levels.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-tlillico