As harvest concludes, the final reporting period for the crop progress and condition report was posted. In a release, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented, “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.”

Farmers last week had 4.3 days suitable for field work across the state, due in part to rain and snow showers in parts of Iowa. In southeast Iowa, topsoil moisture is rated at 68 percent adequate and 32 percent short to very short. Subsoil moisture in the southeast district is rated at 53 percent adequate, 31 percent short, and 16 percent very short.