Continued wet weather conditions allowed Iowa farmers just 1.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 7, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Activities for the week included harvesting corn and soybeans when weather permitted.
Topsoil moisture levels across the state rated 41 percent adequate and 59 percent surplus. In west central Iowa, topsoil moisture levels rated 61 percent adequate and 39 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture levels statewide rated 1 percent very short, 2 percent short, 50 percent adequate and 47 percent surplus. Levels in west central Iowa rated 75 percent adequate and 25 percent surplus. Recent rains have boosted topsoil moisture supplies in south central and southeast Iowa to 99 percent adequate to surplus.
Ninety-five percent of the corn crop was mature (89 percent in WC Iowa), nine days ahead of average. Fifteen percent (1o percent in WC Iowa) of the state’s corn for grain has been harvested, 10 days ahead of last year. Farmers in southeast Iowa continue to lead the way with 39 percent of their corn for grain harvested. Moisture content of field corn being harvested was at 20 percent. Corn condition rated 70 percent good to excellent.
Nearly all the soybean crop was coloring with 94 percent dropping leaves, eight days ahead of average. Eighteen percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, five days behind the average. Soybean condition rated 70 percent good to excellent.
The third cutting of alfalfa hay was nearly complete at 98 percent. Pasture condition improved slightly to 55 percent good to excellent. Muddy feedlot conditions have been a challenge for cattle producers.
Iowa preliminary weather summary by Dr Justin Glisan, state climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – The first week of October had unsettled conditions statewide with above average rainfall and generally below average temperatures. Precipitation totals were up to four inches more than normal with higher accumulations in eastern Iowa. Temperatures were cooler than expected, except in the southeastern corner.
Monday, Oct. 1, was a rainy day for Iowa’s northern two-thirds as a low pressure system moved into the state. Rainfall totals into Tuesday morning were greater than one inch for more than 40 stations with Dubuque (Dubuque County) reporting 2.31 inches, 2.21 inches more than normal. Average highs ranged from the 50s in the northwest with gradual warming into the lower 70s towards the southeast.
Showers and thunderstorms continued across northern parts of Iowa during the day on Wednesday. Statewide highs were in the upper 70s and low 80s. Late in the evening a cold front moved through Iowa, bringing rain to the southeast. Accumulations were less than an inch with Newton (Jasper County) observing the highest total of 0.81 inches. With the cold front exiting Iowa early Thursday, highs cooled into the 50s.
Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms moved through Iowa Friday through Sunday, Oct 5-7, especially across the southern and eastern counties. Heavy rain was observed in eastern Iowa Friday evening into early Saturday; Williamsburg (Iowa County) reported 3.65 inches, 3.55 inches more than average. Stations from Marion to Scott counties recorded accumulations above two inches. Measurable rainfall was reported across much of Iowa on Sunday. Weekend highs ranged from the upper 40s in the north to lower 60s in the south.
De Soto (Harrison County) observed the week’s warmest temperature of 93 degrees on Oct. 2. Estherville (Emmet County) reported the week’s low of 30 degrees on Oct. 4. Statewide average precipitation was around 1.61 inches, 0.93 inches more than the average of 0.68 inches.
