As Thanksgiving approaches, only 3% of Iowa's corn acres in 2013 remain to be harvested, according to USDA's latest weekly survey. That's slightly ahead of the national corn harvest, which is now 95% complete. The statewide Iowa survey was conducted November 24 and the results were compiled and released November 25. This is the final USDA weekly crop conditions survey for this year.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING: With Thanksgiving a few days away, only 3% of Iowa's 2013 corn acres remain to be harvested. USDA's latest weekly survey conducted Nov. 24 shows Iowa is slightly ahead of the national corn harvest progress—as 5% of the U.S. corn crop was still in the field as of Sunday. This is the final USDA weekly crop conditions survey for this year.

The last few acres of Iowa's 2013 soybean harvest were completed last week. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey notes that the challenging growing year in 2013 ranged "from late planting due to wet weather in the spring to a flash drought that hit late in the summer. This this year once again showed the resiliency and commitment of Iowa's farmers."

Last week, farmers who were still trying to wrap up harvest or those who were doing other field work were greeted with rain showers, freezing rain and snow as they worked to finish harvesting and field work that included tillage and baling corn stalks. The state had 4.5 days suitable for field work. And 31% of topsoil and 55% of subsoil moisture was considered short or very short as of Sunday, November 24.

This is the final Iowa crop condition and weather report of the year

"At the end of each growing season farmers reflect on the year, but also look forward to the next year and consider what they can do to make next year even more successful," Northey says. "We had our problems in 2013, but overall it turned out to be a fairly successful year thanks to the hard work of Iowa's farmers."~~~PAGE_BREAK_HERE~~~

The complete weekly report is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship's site or on USDA's site. The report summary follows here:

CROP REPORT: Cold and wet weather persisted across Iowa during the week ending November 24, 2013, according to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Iowa corn harvest is nearing completion at 97% harvested, four percentage points ahead of normal. Other activities for the week included finishing fall tillage and baling corn stalks.

Iowa is heading into winter on the dry side, as Iowa's subsoil moisture currently rates 20% very short, and 35% short, of normal

Topsoil moisture levels rated 8% very short, 23% short, 66% adequate and 3% surplus as of Sunday. Subsoil moisture levels rated 20% very short, 35% short, 44% adequate and 1% surplus. Grain movement from farm to elevator is rated 31% moderate to heavy. Ninety-four percent of Iowa reported adequate or surplus off-farm grain storage availability and 85% reported adequate or surplus on-farm grain storage availability.

Pasture condition rated 22% very poor, 30% poor, 31% fair, 16% good and 1% excellent. Hay supplies were considered 17% short, 77% adequate and 6% surplus across Iowa with 91% rated in fair to good condition.

IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY—as of week ending Nov. 24, 2013

By Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship

The past reporting week began with widespread light to moderate rain with a few thunderstorms on Sunday (Nov. 17) morning. Wednesday (Nov. 20) brought showers and a few thunderstorms to the southeast one-half of Iowa with Lamoni reporting the most rain with 0.92 inches. Finally, a third storm system brought light rain and/or freezing rain changing over to light snow from Thursday (Nov. 21) afternoon into Friday (Nov. 22) morning. Maximum snowfall amounts were around two inches from Audubon to Boone in west central Iowa with maximum rain amounts around one-quarter inch in Taylor and Ringgold counties. Light snow cover of an inch or less persisted over most of southwest, central and northeast Iowa through the weekend.~~~PAGE_BREAK_HERE~~~

Weekly precipitation totals varied from only 0.01 inches at Rock Valley to 1.26 inches at Lamoni and 1.29 inches at Centerville. The statewide average precipitation was 0.37 inches or just a little less than the weekly normal of 0.44 inches.

Cold weather is here and winter has set in; top two to four inches of soil was frozen across much of Iowa by November 24

The week began with very mild weather on Sunday (Nov. 17) when late morning temperatures climbed to 71 degrees at Burlington, Clinton and Keokuk. Monday (Nov. 18) was much colder with daytime highs mostly in the 40's. Tuesday (Nov. 19) and Wednesday (Nov. 20) were seasonably cool over the east while western Iowa warmed into the 50's with a few 60's.

Temperatures plunged on Thursday (Nov. 21) and continued to fall through Sunday (Nov. 24) morning. Daytime highs were only in the teens over most of the northwest one-half of the state on Saturday (Nov. 23). Minimum temperatures dipped to zero on Friday morning at Sheldon and on Saturday morning at Sibley. Webster City recorded the lowest temperature of the week with a Sunday (Nov. 24) morning low of minus 3 degrees. Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged 1.9 degrees below normal. The uppermost two to four inches of soil was frozen across much of Iowa by Sunday.