High-speed harvest in NWI

A hectic growing season culminated in a rather calm harvest for farmers in northwest Iowa this fall.

The year started with record-breaking precipitation numbers and finished markedly dry. During harvest over the past month, there was little standing in farmers' way as they blitzed through area fields unfettered.

"The main thing this fall is that everything went really quick," said New Century FS agronomist Alic Mohni. "We haven't had any weather breaks."

Locally, Mohni reported corn yields ranging from 180-220 bushels per acre, while soybeans yields averaged 50-65 bushels per acre.

"The farther north and east you go, the uglier it gets," he said. "I've heard some fields with new tiles and better drainage getting up to 250 [bushels per acre] for corn, but I don't know if I believe it."

A torrentially wet spring gave crops a slow start this year. Portions of many fields had to be replanted, which led to concerns that yields would take a hit this fall.

"I think for the year we had, guys have to be somewhat happy," said Mohni. "But it's definitely not as good as last year."

Barring weather disruptions, Mohni expected most farmers to wrap up the 2024 harvest sometime next week. ISU Extension agronomist Leah Ten Napel, whose territory includes O'Brien County, said the year was mostly substandard across the region.

"Many famers I have heard from are disappointed with yields this year, whether they be average or below average," she said. "I think we started the year optimistic, and the weather conditions throughout the growing season really took a toll on the crop yield potential."

Ten Napel believed lower-than-expected yields affected producers in every county.

"I do think there were some surprised farmers this year as they were going across the fields," she said. "Farmers are reporting average yield reports for soybeans, but average-to-below average yield reports for corn."

The statewide harvest is also blitzing along. According to the Iowa Department of Agriculture's latest crop progress and condition report, 68 percent of the state's corn crop has been harvested, five days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the five-year average. Ninety-one percent of soybeans have been harvested, one week ahead of last year and almost two weeks ahead of the five-year average.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 41 percent very short, 40 percent short, 19 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 31 percent very short, 46 percent short, 23 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.

For the second-straight week, most of the state received no measurable precipitation.