Almost none of the 2023 corn and soybean crop remains in the field, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. Farmers had 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Nov. 19, thanks to drier and warmer-than-normal weather patterns. Activities included harvesting what little remained of the corn crop, fall tillage, applying fall fertilizer, and hauling manure. There were also some reports of tile work occurring in some fields. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “We approach Thanksgiving with a deep sense of gratitude for the hardworking farm families who produced yet another substantial crop, despite numerous challenges, including a record 176 consecutive weeks of at least D1 drought. Weather conditions are expected to be colder and drier as Iowans hit the road to gather and give thanks with friends and family.” Corn harvested for grain reached 97 percent, even with last year, and 10 days ahead of the five-year average. The lion’s share of the state has been finished for quite some time now, but south-central Iowa still has more than 10 percent of its corn crop left to be harvested. Topsoil moisture conditions rated 69 percent short to very short, 31 percent adequate, and zero percent surplus. Subsoil conditions were 75 percent short to very short, 24 percent adequate, and one percent surplus. The complete report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
