Once again, the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is not available due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. However, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) did release its weekly weather summary for the week ending Oct. 19. The report shows above-normal temperatures and limited rainfall provided Iowa farmers another productive week in the fields. Anecdotally, farmers appear to be slightly ahead of normal on harvest progress, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “With only light rain in parts of the state last week, the warm temperatures provided another wide window for farmers to continue steady harvest progress. Looking at the past five years of reported averages, Iowa farmers have harvested about 85 percent of soybeans and 60 percent of corn by this point in the season. Based on what I am hearing from farmers around the state, we are on pace this year and maybe even a little ahead of schedule. While northern Iowa may see the first widespread freeze of the season this week, warmer temperatures with more chances of rain remain in the forecast through the end of October.” The statewide average temperature was 61.4 degrees, over 10 degrees above normal, with the high temp for the week of 87 degrees Fahrenheit (F) reported on Oct. 12 in Harrison County, while Osceola County saw the week’s low of 34 degrees F on Oct. 19.
IDALS: Harvest Progress Appears To Be Trending Slightly Ahead Of Average
