Iowa farmers continue to make harvest progress

Above average temperatures and mostly dry weather allowed Iowa farmers to harvest corn and soybeans at a normal pace in the week that ended on Sunday.

With almost all of Iowa's corn acreage mature, harvest was 36 percent complete, six days behind 2013 and 16 days behind the five-year average, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistical Service.

Moisture content of the corn was estimated at 19 percent, encouraging some farmers to harvest, but still limiting others who are waiting for corn to dry down in the field. A moisture content of 15 or less is preferred to prevent mold after the grain is stored.

Seventy-seven percent of the corn crop was reported in good to excellent condition.

The Iowa soybean harvest is 81 percent complete, two days behind last year and four days behind normal. Many farmers across the state were waiting for replanted soybeans to mature.

A few low-lying fields remain too muddy to harvest. Southwest and south central Iowa were the wettest areas of the state with more than one-third of the topsoil and subsoil in surplus condition.

'Wet fields and rain showers continue to slow progress in some areas and hopefully warm, dry weather will allow harvest to progress in a timely manner,' said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

Grain movement from farm to elevator was rated 58 percent moderate to heavy, increasing 3 percentage points from the previous week.

Off-farm grain storage availability was 90 percent adequate to surplus. On-farm grain storage availability was 86 percent adequate to surplus.

Pasture condition rated 65 percent good to excellent, while hay and roughage supplies were estimated at 97 percent adequate to surplus.

Livestock conditions were excellent, and a few cattle were turned out on cornstalk fields.