The final Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for the year was released on Monday, following Sunday’s record-breaking snow in the southern portion of the state that fell on an estimated 13 percent of a corn crop yet to be harvested. The week ending Nov. 25 saw only 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork with average high temperatures up to 20 degrees below normal. There were a couple of days of near normal temperatures right before the snowstorm and colder weather moved in. Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, says farmers have dealt with many challenges this growing season, including flooding in northwest Iowa and serious drought conditions in the southeast. “The record precipitation we have received this fall has resulted in one of the slowest harvests on record,” Naig says. “Even with those challenges, many parts of our state reported record or near record yields. We are fortunate to have tremendous farmers who do an amazing job raising the crops and livestock that help keep us fed and fueled,” Naig adds. Ninety-six percent of the corn for grain crop has been harvested, four days behind the five-year average. The soybean harvest is 98 percent complete, nine days behind last year and 12 days behind the five-year average. To read the full report, simply follow the links included below.
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Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report: