A sudden “snow squall” on Monday halted harvest for a large part of the state, but the precipitation is much needed to ensure adequate moisture for the next planting season. “Precipitation is expected to stay in the forecast for the next week and the moisture will continue to improve soil conditions heading into 2021,” says Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig. “The state as a whole continues to make good progress with 65 percent of the corn harvest and 90 percent of the soybean harvest completed.” According to the weekly Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending Oct. 18, there were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Only 10 percent of the soybean crop remains to be harvested, over three weeks ahead of last year and over two weeks ahead of the five-year average. Farmers in northwest, north central and west central Iowa have less than five percent of soybeans yet to be harvested. Corn harvest reached 65 percent complete, also over three weeks ahead of last year and more than two weeks ahead of the average. Moisture content of field corn fell to 16 percent. The full report can be found at nass.usda.gov/ia.
