According to this week’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers across the state are turning their focus to fall fieldwork as only three percent of the 2024 corn crop remains in the field. Farmers had 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Nov. 17, which included fall tillage, fertilizer application, and sparse reports of row crop harvest. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Even as harvest winds down across the state, farmers are still busy completing fall fieldwork as conditions allow. Though the rain has temporarily parked some combines and tractors, it has helped green up the cover crops and provided some replenishment for the parched soils and streams. Forecasts through the end of November indicate both seasonal temperatures and precipitation can be expected.” Corn harvested for grain reached 97 percent statewide. Recent rains have significantly improved moisture conditions throughout the state. Topsoil moisture measured 36 percent short to very short, 61 percent adequate, and three percent surplus, while subsoil conditions measured 59 percent short to very short, 40 percent adequate, and one percent surplus. Find the complete Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report online at www.nass.usda.gov.
