Some farmers in northern Iowa are finally getting back into their fields this week. Monday's U.S.D.A. crop report showed Iowa's soybean harvest at 19%, which is 11 days behind the average. April Hemmes -- who farms near Hampton -- said Tuesday she was still waiting to start harvesting soybeans. … [Read more...]
Soybean harvest falls behind as wet weather continues
The weather continues to make it tough for farmers to get into their fields to harvest beans and corn. The U.S.D.A. crop report says there was barely one day (.8) that was suitable for fieldwork last week with the continued rain and snow showers. The report says only one percent of additional … [Read more...]
Snow provides an October surprise in some parts of the state
We're not even a month into fall and already wintery weather is hitting Iowa. Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff, at the National Weather Service, says the Sunday afternoon snowfall took some north-central Iowans by surprise. "The highest amounts we got were around Iowa Falls where they got around … [Read more...]
All state snowplows will have cameras, blue and white lights this year
The Iowa Department of Transportation has implemented a couple of changes as workers prepare for another winter of battling snow and ice on the state's roads. Craig Bargfrede , the Iowa DOT's winter operations administrator, says cameras will be installed in all snow plows and still images will be … [Read more...]
Drying soybeans can be risky: ‘they will burn everything up’
Many Iowa growers will be storing -- not selling -- their soybeans this harvest season, given low commodity prices and troubles with international trade. Iowa State University Extension agricultural engineer Kris Kohl recommends farmers cool down the storage bin and make sure the moisture level … [Read more...]
Hard freeze and frost forecast tonight, compounding farmers’ troubles
Many Iowa farmers are frustrated as crops are starting to mold in the muddy fields, continued rain is making it impossible to harvest -- and now a hard freeze and frost are threatened. Angie Rieck Hinz, a field agronomist with the Iowa State University Extension, says it's been a challenging … [Read more...]
At least five Tuesday tornadoes touched down in Iowa
As many as seven tornadoes touched down in Iowa in the past two days, which is highly unusual for this time of the year. Two twisters struck on Monday in Guthrie County near Jamaica and in Clarke County near Woodburn, while perhaps five more hit Tuesday afternoon and evening. Meteorologist Kurt … [Read more...]
Farmers find only a couple of dry days to harvest last week
The wet weather slowed the harvest again this week. The latest U.S.D.A. report shows there were 1.6 suitable days for fieldwork last week. The corn harvest is now 15 percent complete -- which compares to 11 percent last week. The corn harvest got started early -- and is still 10 days ahead of … [Read more...]
Dry, warm conditions last a day and cold and wet weather returns
Wednesday's return to summer-like weather was short-lived. National Weather Service Meteorologist Brad Fillbach says a cold front that pushed through the state overnight brought a 40-degree drop in temperatures in less than 12 hours. "A temperature swing of that significance...you don't see very … [Read more...]
Northern Iowa falls into ‘Ring of Fire’ and the rain keeps coming down, down harder
State Climatologist Justin Glisan says persistent heavy rains that have pummeled parts of northern Iowa in recent weeks can be blamed on a more active weather pattern in addition to an atmospheric condition called the "Ring of Fire." "This happens when a low-pressure system is near the state and a … [Read more...]