Indiana Grain Company, LLC

Posted: 11/24/09

By: tomgrisafi

The Iowa corn harvest progressed in the last week, expanding the acres harvested from 59 percent last week to 78 percent Monday in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's weekly crop progress report.

A year ago, 84 percent of the corn crop had been harvested by this date.

The soybean crop in Iowa is now 98 percent harvested. Normally, soybeans are 100 percent harvested by this date.

"Heavy rains in southeast Iowa and the need for extensive drying have slowed progress for some farmers," said Bill Northey, Iowa's agriculture secretary.

The National Weather Service forecasts rain over most of Iowa today, followed by drier but colder conditions later in the week.

Despite the progress, the Iowa harvest is still two weeks behind normal schedule.

Iowa farmers have been hobbled this year by the wettest October since 1881 and by corn moisture levels well above the 15 percent required by commercial processors. Propane shortages also have slowed drying at some elevators.

Faced with long lines to unload at elevators, farmers have done some preparatory fieldwork for winter. The Agriculture Department reported that 36 percent of cropland has received a fall fertilizer application, which is up from 29 percent at this time last year.

Source: AP, DesMoines Register