Northwest Iowa Crop Conditions

Harvest is nearly all completed in NW Iowa. After a wet October, November weather was cool and dry allowing for
harvest and fieldwork to go on without delays. We had several days of high winds which blew over some corn
fields, but it was still harvest able. Soil moisture levels going into next year are about average for this area.

Yields were impressive considering NW Iowa was 5 to 6 inches short on rain going into mid-August. The cool weather in August and rainfall from late August to September saved the crops from major loss. Corn yields were highly variable depending on soil quality and local rainfall. The high yield areas on many farms were very good with yields way over 200 bushels per acre. However, some fields or areas in fields that struggled were yielding less than 100 bushels per acre. Looking at this area as a whole, yields were above average but not quite as good as last year.

Soybean yields were also variable, but somewhat above average overall. Most farm yields were between 55 and
65 bushels per acre with some above or below.Crop prices are under pressure from the higher than expected yields in the U.S. and improving weather in South America for their recently planted crops.

This will be the last crop update of the season. Happy Holidays!