Final 2013 Crop Report Shows Iowa Corn Harvest Nearing Completion
Iowa crop producers have overcome a number of challenges in 2013 to remain ahead of five-year harvest averages
According to the USDA’s final “Crop Progress” report of 2013, Iowa’s corn harvest is nearing completion at 97% harvested as of November 24, 2013.
With 97% of the state’s corn harvest completed (4 percentage points ahead of five-year averages), grain movement levels from farm to elevator was rated 31 percent moderate to heavy. Ninety-four percent of Iowa reported adequate or surplus off-farm grain storage availability and 85 percent reported adequate or surplus on-farm grain storage availability. With the corn harvest process nearing completion, Iowa farmers are beginning to turn towards other activities in the coming weeks, including finishing fall tillage and baling corn stalks.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, recently commented on the final Crop Progress report of 2013 in a KMALand article, saying, “At the end of each growing season farmers reflect on the year, but also look forward to the next and consider what they can do to make the next year even more successful. 2013 certainly presented a number challenges, from late planting due to wet weather to a flash drought late in the summer, but overall it was a fairly successful year that showed again the resiliency and commitment of Iowa’s farmers.”
2013 brought about a number of challenges as noted by Northey, but despite these challenges, Iowa farmers have been able to keep ahead of five-year harvest averages. With 97% of the corn harvest completed, grain movement from farm to elevator will become an area of focus along with other farming activities like fall tillage and baling corn stalks.