DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey Monday commented on the Iowa crops report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.
The report is released weekly from April through October.
“At the end of each growing season farmers reflect on the year, but also look forward to the next and consider what they can do to make the next year even more successful,” Northey said. “2013 certainly presented a number challenges, from late planting due to wet weather to a flash drought late in the summer, but overall it was a fairly successful year that showed again the resiliency and commitment of Iowa’s farmers.”
The weekly report is also available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov or on USDA's site at www.nass.usda.gov/ia. The report summary follows here:
Crop Report
Cold and wet weather persisted across Iowa during the week ending November 24, 2013, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Iowa corn harvest for grain or seed is nearing completion at 97 percent harvested, four percentage points ahead of normal. Other activities for the week included finishing fall tillage and baling corn stalks.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 8 percent very short, 23 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 20 percent very short, 35 percent short, 44 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. 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.
Pasture condition 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.