September 19 Crop and Harvest Progress Report
Posted
in Chad Moyer's Blog
at 04:15PM on 09/19/2011
Cool, Wet conditions slow harvest, help winter wheat in NE
Agricultural Summary:
For the week ending September 18, 2011, cool and misty weather slowed field work but provided some much needed moisture for germination of fall seeded wheat, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Harvest of corn silage, high moisture corn, and seed corn continued as did dry bean and proso millet harvests in the west. The cooler temperatures relieved stress on livestock.
Weather Summary:
Temperatures for the week averaged 8 degrees below normal. Highs on Monday were mainly in the lower 90’s. Temperatures proceeded to fall the remainder of the week with frost recorded in some Northeast locations. Lows were mainly in the upper 30’s and lower 40’s. Rainfall accumulations were highest in the western half of the state with a few locations receiving over 1 inch of precipitation. The driest area was the North East District.
Topsoil Moisture: Very Short 3%, Short 25%, Adequate 71%, Surplus 1%
Subsoil Moisture: Very Short 3%, Short 25%, Adequate 71%, Surplus 1%
Average Rainfall since April 1 (% change from normal): NE - 20.84 inches, +12%; EC - 23.91 inches, +21%; SE - 20.91 inches, +1%
GDD since April 15 (normal): Concord - 2609 (2990), West Point 2725 (3074), Mead 2890 (3155).
Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 18 fair, 55 good, and 19 excellent, below 83 percent good to excellent last year but near 75 average. Irrigated corn conditions rated 78 percent good to excellent and dryland corn rated 68. Corn in dent or beyond was 97 percent, equal to last year and near 95 average. Corn mature was 22 percent, well behind 45 last year and 34 average. Corn harvest was at 2 percent, behind 5 last year but near 3 average.
Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 16 fair, 57 good, and 22 excellent, equal to 79 percent good to excellent last year but above 74 average. Soybeans turning color was 73 percent, behind 84 last year and 82 average. Soybeans dropping leaves was 17 percent, well behind 41 last year and 35 average.
Winter Wheat seeded was 41 percent, behind 47 last year but equal to 41 average.
Sorghum conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 9 poor, 16 fair, 59 good, and 15 excellent, below last year’s good to mexcellent rating of 76 percent but above 73 average. Sorghum turning color was 93 percent, near 94 last year but ahead of 86 average. Sorghum mature was 24 percent, ahead of 14 last year and average. The first fields of sorghum were harvested.
Alfalfa rated 0 percent very poor, 4 poor, 22 fair, 63 good, and 11 excellent, below 78 percent good to excellent last year but well above 65 average. The fourth cutting of alfalfa was at 60 percent, near 61 last year but ahead of 49 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 7 poor, 23 fair, 60 good, and 9 excellent, below last year’s 83 percent good to excellent but above 58 average.
Current Weather & Crops County Comments
Survey Date: 09/18/2011
CEDAR
Frost early in the week resulting in soybeans dropping leaves. Some corn has been harvested for hi-moisture feedlots use and most corn silage has been completed.
DIXON
An early frost last week has turned most of the beans brown, indicating that some damage was done.
DIXON
Crops continue to mature with the promise of warmer weather this week. Some producers beginning to harvest wet corn for delivery at ethanol plants and feedlots. Corn harvest for silage is nearly complete.
DODGE
Cool temps this week. First frost on low land areas.
DODGE
Getting grain bins and harvest equipment ready for harvest and cutting corn silage are the main activities.
MERRICK
The only mature corn in Merrick County is seed corn (11.5 % of the corn planted in Merrick County is seed corn) and growers have been harvesting seed corn for over a week. Some is producing well while other fields are reported to have ears that did not fill. No harvest of soybeans yet but farmers are reporting pod counts from low 40's to over 100. Just hope we don't have a hard freeze for a few weeks yet as the beans are just not ready for a freeze.
NEMAHA
Crops are maturing. Very little harvest completed in the county. Cool, wet conditions is making it difficult for 4th cutting hay to be harvested.
WASHINGTON
Some tillage is being done on fields that were flooded this summer.
Click here to see the latest national numbers... http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProg/CropProg-09-19-2011.txt.
Freeze Hits Iowa, Selective Corn Harvest Starts
Parts of Iowa received a hard freeze this week with frost reported over most of the State. Corn harvest is advancing with many farmers concentrating on getting wind- and hail-damaged corn out first. Soybean harvest is at least a week away for most farmers although scattered fields have already been harvested.
There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork statewide during the past week. Southwest Iowa was the only area with less than 5.0 days suitable at just 4.7 days suitable. Topsoil moisture levels rated 13 percent very short, 32 percent short, 51 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 12 percent very short, 36 percent short, 51 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.
Nearly all the corn crop has advanced to at least the dent stage. Sixty percent of the corn crop is now mature, nearly 1 week behind last year but 4 days ahead of normal. Corn harvest for grain or seed is underway. Corn moisture content for the State stands at 29 percent, with the corn currently being harvested running 24 percent moisture content. Corn lodging is heavier than last year at this time thanks to several widespread wind events during August. Ear droppage is also a larger problem than last year, but only 6 percent of the crop is experiencing moderate to heavy ear droppage. Corn condition stands at 6 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 10 percent excellent.
Just over three-quarters of the soybean crop has turned color, trailing last year’s 87 percent and the five-year average 84 percent. One-quarter of Iowa’s soybean fields are dropping leaves, remaining one week behind last year and normal. Soybean condition stands at 4 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 48 percent good and 14 percent excellent.
Third cutting alfalfa hay harvest advanced to 94 percent complete, slightly behind last year’s 95 percent but ahead of the normal 90 percent. The condition of the hay crop is reported at 7 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 36 percent good, and 7 percent excellent.
Pasture and range condition rated 9 percent very poor, 21 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 32 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Livestock conditions have been near optimal with only a few insect issues reported.
IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
The past reporting week began with warm weather on Monday (12th) with high temperatures mostly in the 80’s with a few 90’s. Keosauqua, Little Sioux, Mason City and Shenandoah all reached 91 degrees. Much cooler weather prevailed for the rest of the week with highs mostly in the 70’s on Tuesday, 60’s on Wednesday and down to the 50’s by Friday before rebounding slightly over the weekend. A freeze covered much of northern Iowa on Thursday (15th) morning and scattered locations across the south. The freeze was not quite as widespread as one on the same date in 2007 (52 percent of the state at or below 32 degrees on 9/15/2007 versus 41 percent on 9/15/2011). However, a few places were much colder in 2011 with Mason City Airport reporting a low of 26 degrees, Iowa’s lowest reading for so early in the season since 1955. At Cedar Rapids and Jefferson this week’s freeze tied with 2007 as the earliest on record. Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged 6.7 degrees below normal. Meanwhile, three weather systems brought light rain to the state this week. The first on Wednesday morning dampened much of the southern one-third of Iowa. The second brought rain to most of the state on Friday night into Saturday. The final event on Saturday night into Sunday brought the most rain with parts of southwest, central and northeast Iowa recording between one-half and two-thirds of an inch. Weekly precipitation totals varied from none at Sibley to 1.13 inches at Jewell in Hamilton County. The statewide average precipitation was 0.40 inch or one-half of the weekly normal of 0.80 inch.
Agricultural Summary:
For the week ending September 18, 2011, cool and misty weather slowed field work but provided some much needed moisture for germination of fall seeded wheat, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Harvest of corn silage, high moisture corn, and seed corn continued as did dry bean and proso millet harvests in the west. The cooler temperatures relieved stress on livestock.
Weather Summary:
Temperatures for the week averaged 8 degrees below normal. Highs on Monday were mainly in the lower 90’s. Temperatures proceeded to fall the remainder of the week with frost recorded in some Northeast locations. Lows were mainly in the upper 30’s and lower 40’s. Rainfall accumulations were highest in the western half of the state with a few locations receiving over 1 inch of precipitation. The driest area was the North East District.
Topsoil Moisture: Very Short 3%, Short 25%, Adequate 71%, Surplus 1%
Subsoil Moisture: Very Short 3%, Short 25%, Adequate 71%, Surplus 1%
Average Rainfall since April 1 (% change from normal): NE - 20.84 inches, +12%; EC - 23.91 inches, +21%; SE - 20.91 inches, +1%
GDD since April 15 (normal): Concord - 2609 (2990), West Point 2725 (3074), Mead 2890 (3155).
Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 6 poor, 18 fair, 55 good, and 19 excellent, below 83 percent good to excellent last year but near 75 average. Irrigated corn conditions rated 78 percent good to excellent and dryland corn rated 68. Corn in dent or beyond was 97 percent, equal to last year and near 95 average. Corn mature was 22 percent, well behind 45 last year and 34 average. Corn harvest was at 2 percent, behind 5 last year but near 3 average.
Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 poor, 16 fair, 57 good, and 22 excellent, equal to 79 percent good to excellent last year but above 74 average. Soybeans turning color was 73 percent, behind 84 last year and 82 average. Soybeans dropping leaves was 17 percent, well behind 41 last year and 35 average.
Winter Wheat seeded was 41 percent, behind 47 last year but equal to 41 average.
Sorghum conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 9 poor, 16 fair, 59 good, and 15 excellent, below last year’s good to mexcellent rating of 76 percent but above 73 average. Sorghum turning color was 93 percent, near 94 last year but ahead of 86 average. Sorghum mature was 24 percent, ahead of 14 last year and average. The first fields of sorghum were harvested.
Alfalfa rated 0 percent very poor, 4 poor, 22 fair, 63 good, and 11 excellent, below 78 percent good to excellent last year but well above 65 average. The fourth cutting of alfalfa was at 60 percent, near 61 last year but ahead of 49 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 7 poor, 23 fair, 60 good, and 9 excellent, below last year’s 83 percent good to excellent but above 58 average.
Current Weather & Crops County Comments
Survey Date: 09/18/2011
CEDAR
Frost early in the week resulting in soybeans dropping leaves. Some corn has been harvested for hi-moisture feedlots use and most corn silage has been completed.
DIXON
An early frost last week has turned most of the beans brown, indicating that some damage was done.
DIXON
Crops continue to mature with the promise of warmer weather this week. Some producers beginning to harvest wet corn for delivery at ethanol plants and feedlots. Corn harvest for silage is nearly complete.
DODGE
Cool temps this week. First frost on low land areas.
DODGE
Getting grain bins and harvest equipment ready for harvest and cutting corn silage are the main activities.
MERRICK
The only mature corn in Merrick County is seed corn (11.5 % of the corn planted in Merrick County is seed corn) and growers have been harvesting seed corn for over a week. Some is producing well while other fields are reported to have ears that did not fill. No harvest of soybeans yet but farmers are reporting pod counts from low 40's to over 100. Just hope we don't have a hard freeze for a few weeks yet as the beans are just not ready for a freeze.
NEMAHA
Crops are maturing. Very little harvest completed in the county. Cool, wet conditions is making it difficult for 4th cutting hay to be harvested.
WASHINGTON
Some tillage is being done on fields that were flooded this summer.
Click here to see the latest national numbers... http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProg/CropProg-09-19-2011.txt.
Freeze Hits Iowa, Selective Corn Harvest Starts
Parts of Iowa received a hard freeze this week with frost reported over most of the State. Corn harvest is advancing with many farmers concentrating on getting wind- and hail-damaged corn out first. Soybean harvest is at least a week away for most farmers although scattered fields have already been harvested.
There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork statewide during the past week. Southwest Iowa was the only area with less than 5.0 days suitable at just 4.7 days suitable. Topsoil moisture levels rated 13 percent very short, 32 percent short, 51 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 12 percent very short, 36 percent short, 51 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.
Nearly all the corn crop has advanced to at least the dent stage. Sixty percent of the corn crop is now mature, nearly 1 week behind last year but 4 days ahead of normal. Corn harvest for grain or seed is underway. Corn moisture content for the State stands at 29 percent, with the corn currently being harvested running 24 percent moisture content. Corn lodging is heavier than last year at this time thanks to several widespread wind events during August. Ear droppage is also a larger problem than last year, but only 6 percent of the crop is experiencing moderate to heavy ear droppage. Corn condition stands at 6 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 10 percent excellent.
Just over three-quarters of the soybean crop has turned color, trailing last year’s 87 percent and the five-year average 84 percent. One-quarter of Iowa’s soybean fields are dropping leaves, remaining one week behind last year and normal. Soybean condition stands at 4 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 48 percent good and 14 percent excellent.
Third cutting alfalfa hay harvest advanced to 94 percent complete, slightly behind last year’s 95 percent but ahead of the normal 90 percent. The condition of the hay crop is reported at 7 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 36 percent good, and 7 percent excellent.
Pasture and range condition rated 9 percent very poor, 21 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 32 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Livestock conditions have been near optimal with only a few insect issues reported.
IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
The past reporting week began with warm weather on Monday (12th) with high temperatures mostly in the 80’s with a few 90’s. Keosauqua, Little Sioux, Mason City and Shenandoah all reached 91 degrees. Much cooler weather prevailed for the rest of the week with highs mostly in the 70’s on Tuesday, 60’s on Wednesday and down to the 50’s by Friday before rebounding slightly over the weekend. A freeze covered much of northern Iowa on Thursday (15th) morning and scattered locations across the south. The freeze was not quite as widespread as one on the same date in 2007 (52 percent of the state at or below 32 degrees on 9/15/2007 versus 41 percent on 9/15/2011). However, a few places were much colder in 2011 with Mason City Airport reporting a low of 26 degrees, Iowa’s lowest reading for so early in the season since 1955. At Cedar Rapids and Jefferson this week’s freeze tied with 2007 as the earliest on record. Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged 6.7 degrees below normal. Meanwhile, three weather systems brought light rain to the state this week. The first on Wednesday morning dampened much of the southern one-third of Iowa. The second brought rain to most of the state on Friday night into Saturday. The final event on Saturday night into Sunday brought the most rain with parts of southwest, central and northeast Iowa recording between one-half and two-thirds of an inch. Weekly precipitation totals varied from none at Sibley to 1.13 inches at Jewell in Hamilton County. The statewide average precipitation was 0.40 inch or one-half of the weekly normal of 0.80 inch.
