Decent weather last week has helped farmers get in their crops.

“Four consecutive days of favorable weather allowed many farmers to finish up soybeans last week,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “There is still some corn in the fields, especially in northeast portions of the state which has received above-average snowfall. If we can get another stretch of dry days, many farmers will be able to wrap up harvest.”

Snowfall in the first part of the week ending Nov. 17 slowed down harvesting activities in parts of Iowa by limiting farmers to 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Propane shortages continued to be a challenge for farmers across the state as they try to dry down their corn crop due to high moisture content.

Fieldwork activities included harvesting corn and soybeans; baling corn stalks; applying anhydrous and fertilizer; and fall tillage.

Topsoil moisture condition was rated 0% very short, 2% short, 83% adequate and 15% surplus.

Subsoil moisture condition was rated 0% very short, 2% short, 83% adequate and 15% surplus.

Seventy-seven percent of the corn for grain crop has been harvested, 10 days behind last year and 12 days behind the five-year average.

Producers in the Northwest and North Central Districts have harvested more than 85% of their expected crop, while harvest in the Northeast District was just 58% complete. Moisture content of field corn being harvested for grain was at 20%.

Ninety-five percent of the soybean crop has been harvested, more than one week behind average. The South Central and Southeast Districts still have more than 10% of their soybean crop remaining to be harvested.

The number of cattle grazing on corn stalks increased this past week. There were also reports that below normal temperatures and mud have been stressful on livestock.