Final weekly crop report shows harvest virtually complete

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

The corn being harvested for grain statewide is virtually complete, according to the year’s final Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report, but there are a few farmers still getting the last rows out of their field and off to the elevators.

Field activities slowed down this week with reports of fall tillage, and fertilizer and manure applications wrapping up, according to the weekly report prepared by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the final report of the year, saying, “We give thanks for yet another bountiful harvest across Iowa, despite many challenges including a wet spring, a dry fall and some challenging severe weather.

“Record or near record yields and production for both corn and soybeans, combined with commodity prices not keeping up with costs, amplifies the continual need to build and expand markets locally, domestically and internationally,” Naig said.

In the Northcentral District that includes Floyd County, there were 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork last week.

Topsoil moisture in the district was listed as 66% adequate, 21% short and 13% very short. No part of the district reported surplus topsoil moisture.

Subsoil moisture in the Northcentral District was listed as 43% adequate, 27% short and 20% very short, with 0% surplus.

Last week was unseasonably warm and wet with above average rainfall over the western and northern portions of the state, according to State Climatologist Justin Glisan of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Stations in the northwest corner registered positive departures of over an inch. Conditions were up to 10 degrees above average in southeastern Iowa with a statewide average temperature of 39.1 degrees, 4.8 degrees above normal, Glisan reported..

The weekly Crop Progress and Condition report will resume April 7, 2025.