Cold, wet weather delays completion of Iowa corn harvest

Cold and wet weather persisted across Iowa during the week that ended on Sunday, delaying completion of the year's corn harvest.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service on Monday reported corn harvest for grain or seed is almost finished at 97 percent harvested, 4 percent ahead of normal.

Grain movement from farm to elevator was rated 31 percent moderate to heavy. Ninety-four percent of Iowa reported adequate or surplus off-farm grain storage availability and 85 percent reported adequate or surplus on-farm grain storage availability.

The statewide average precipitation was 0.37 inches or just a little less than the weekly normal of 0.44 inches.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 8 percent very short, 23 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 20 percent very short, 35 percent short, 44 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Pasture condition was rated 22 percent very poor, 30 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 16 percent good and 1 percent excellent.

Hay supplies were considered 17 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus across Iowa, with 91 percent rated in fair to good condition.

At Dyersville Sales, 481 tons of hay was sold on Wednesday with the top price of $290 per ton on third crop of western big square bales. Round bales topped at $185 per ton on third crop of grass.

Temperatures plunged on Thursday and continued to fall through Sunday morning. Daytime highs were only in the teens over most of the northwest half of the state on Saturday. Minimum temperatures dipped to zero on Friday morning at Sheldon and on Saturday morning at Sibley.

Statewide there were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Beyond harvesting corn, farmers were busy finishing fall tillage and baling corn stalks.