USDA’s last weekly crop report for the season indicated that in many Cornbelt states there were still combines in the field, and drought was a concern for many producers. With little time before the ground freezes, some farmers will enter the spring with dry soil in many areas.

Farmers in the Upper Midwest can see the light at the end of the tunnel, if they are not already in the office working on records, marketing, and taxes. The final weekly crop condition report has been compiled by USDA with the help of hundreds of volunteer crop reporters.

ILLINOIS: Topsoil moisture was 52% in the short category and only 46% adequate. Fall harvest and seeding of winter wheat is virtually complete statewide. Field work is generally focused on nutrient application and fall tillage. The Illinois Ag Statistics Service also reported, “Rising input costs top the concerns of many farmers as winter approaches as well as the depleted soil moisture levels in many areas of the state.”

INDIANA: Topsoil moisture is over 60% adequate to surplus but the subsoil moisture is drier, and 56% is in the short categories. Corn is 96% harvested, soybeans are 99% harvested and 100% of the winter wheat is planted Farmers were busy during the week applying anhydrous ammonia, spreading fertilizer and lime, moving grain to market, and doing fall tillage.

IOWA: Topsoil moisture is 88% adequate to surplus and the subsoil moisture is 95% adequate to surplus following excessive rains that delayed harvest. Corn is 93% harvested and soybeans are 99% harvested. The northern half of the state is wrapping up harvest, in full swing with fall tillage and fertilizer application. The southern half is focused on harvest and is taking advantage of the dry days to finish.

KANSAS: Topsoil moisture is 47% short and 53% adequate. Subsoil moisture is 41% short and 59% adequate. Winter wheat is 4% pastured. Hay and forage supplies are 87% adequate and stock water supplies for Kansas are 81% adequate.

MICHIGAN: Topsoil moisture is 78% adequate and subsoil moisture is 65% adequate. The unharvested corn is rated 16% very poor, 18% poor, 32% fair, 28% good, and 6% excellent. Corn harvest has progressed and is completed some areas; with soybean harvest completed in many areas. Winter wheat emergence continued to be good and at a pace ahead of normal.

MISSOURI: Topsoil moisture is 50% short and 49% adequate. Fall tillage is 64% complete. Pasture conditions range from 45% poor and very poor to 20% good to excellent. Row crop harvest, wheat seeding, fall tillage are all running at or ahead of average progress. Some problems with wheat emergence were reported in the northeast due to dryness. Concern about low ponds and streams spread into central areas. Some
producers in the south-central region have sold cattle in response to very poor pastures, with others contemplating the same course of action.

NEBRASKA: Topsoil moisture is 34% short to very short and 65% adequate. Subsoil moisture is 38% short to very short and 61% adequate. Corn is 92% harvested and soybeans are 98% harvested. Winter wheat conditions are 63% good to excellent.

NORTH DAKOTA: Topsoil moisture is 41% short to very short and 49% adequate, with subsoil moisture 54% short to very short and 45% adequate. Stockwater supplies are 75% adequate. Dry conditions allowed producers to make good harvest progress on corn and sunflowers during this past week. Reporters noted that producers were concerned about rainfall to replenish soil moisture supplies for winter wheat and next year’s crops.

OHIO: Topsoil moisture is 67% adequate to surplus, and late season rains have interrupted harvest. Corn is 89% harvested for grain. Winter wheat conditions are 87% good to excellent. Other field activities included fall tillage on corn and soybean fields, and fertilizer application. Throughout most of the state producers report local elevators are filled to capacity with grain, which has delayed corn unloading.

SOUTH DAKOTA: Topsoil moisture is 84% adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture is 80% adequate to surplus. Feed supplies are 86% adequate; stock water supplies are 70% adequate; and cattle conditions are 88% good to excellent.

WISCONSIN: Topsoil moisture is 83% adequate to surplus. Corn is 83% harvested, and soybeans are 96% harvested. Fall tillage is 53% complete. Harvest activities were in full swing again last week with soybean harvest beginning to wrap up, and corn harvest was still running ahead of normal.

Summary:
Cornbelt agriculture is nearing the expected end of the season, with only a small percent of the corn and soybean crop still in the field, and most of the fall tillage and fertilizer application nearing completion. Except for the soggy conditions that besieged Iowa and Ohio farmers, much of the Cornbelt has varying topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions which raise concerns about starting the 2008 growing season with adequate moisture.