Northwest Iowa — Warm, dry conditions allowed some farmers to get their combines into the fields last week.
The USDA crop report says farmers were able to harvest five percent of the corn in the last week. That is five days behind last year but equal to the five-year average. The report found nine percent of the beans were out of the fields and into the bins at the end of the week. The harvest rate is equal to last year and one day ahead of the five-year average.
Both corn and soybeans in Iowa are rated at 77 percent good to excellent.
Here in northwest Iowa, three percent of corn has been harvested for grain, and seven percent of soybeans have been harvested.
There were just over six days suitable for fieldwork in northwest Iowa last week, with slightly more available statewide. 53 percent of northwest Iowa topsoil has adequate moisture, with 46 percent short or very short, and one percent surplus. 65 percent of northwest Iowa subsoil has adequate moisture, with 34 percent short or very short, and one percent surplus.
(With assistance from fellow Community First Broadcasting station KAYL in Storm Lake)
