The 2023 harvest season in Iowa is nearing its final stages, according to this week’s U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. For the week ending Oct. 29, producers had just 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork, which included harvest activities, fall tillage, fertilizer application, baling stalks, and hauling manure. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Widespread rain fell across Iowa over several days last week, and a cold blast brought the first measurable snow to northern Iowa. The weather forecast looks drier over the next week with temperatures slowly climbing to near seasonal, offering farmers an excellent window to harvest or complete other field work.” The corn harvest moved to 77 percent complete, a day ahead of last year and eight days ahead of average. Moisture content for harvested corn held steady at 17 percent. Soybean harvest reached 93 percent complete, even with the previous year but eight days ahead of normal. Topsoil moisture conditions rated 47 percent short to very short, 51 percent adequate, and two percent surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 67 percent short to very short, 31 percent adequate, and two percent surplus. The complete report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
2023 Harvest Nears Its End According To USDA Report
