OTTUMWA —
Iowa's harvest doesn't have much longer to run.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says more than three quarters of the state's corn crop is already out of the fields, along with 80 percent of the soybean crop. The corn crop is a full month ahead of the fall norms. Soybeans aren't quite that far ahead, but are still running two weeks ahead of a normal harvest season.
To put those numbers in perspective, at this time in 2011 less than a quarter of the state's corn had been harvested.
In southeast Iowa, things are behind the state average. Sixty-nine percent of the corn in the area has been harvested. Only 58 percent of the soybeans in southeast Iowa have been harvested.
The new report comes as some forecasters have increased projections for the corn crop. That's a change from the summer's relentless pessimism and drought. Still, the drought has had a major impact and it shows as 99 percent of Iowa reports adequate or surplus off-farm storage capacity.
Weather turned sharply colder last week. It was cold enough that State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says Battle Creek tied a record. The town's low temperature Saturday was 12 degrees, "tied for the lowest temperature for so early in the season." The record was set back in 1935.
While some areas saw rain with the colder weather, it still wasn't enough. Hillaker says this was the 20th week out of the past 22 with below average rainfall.
That's becoming a concern, as experts say Iowa needs to see rains before the ground freezes this winter. After that, the amount that soaks into the earth will drop dramatically.
Southeast Iowa
Corn harvest a month ahead of normal
- Southeast Iowa
-
-
VIDEO: Orlando shootout tied to Boston bomb suspect
The FBI says it was involved in a fatal shooting near Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla. CBS News senior correspondent John Miller reports that the victim was a friend of Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the older brother suspected in the Boston Marathon bombing.
-
Okla. officials vow not to quit looking until everyone is found
The tornado that killed 24 people and injured at least 100 others in the Moore and Oklahoma City area cut a 17-mile-long path that started in Newcastle and ended at Lake Stanley Draper. Nine of the dead are children.
-
Photos: Aftermath of massive tornado in Moore
Storm victims were pulled from the rubble and residents began surveying the damage late Monday and early Tuesday in the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore, where a powerful tornado destroyed entire neighborhoods and left dozens dead.
-
Where to get the best deal on beer, haircuts, movies
Looking for a good deal on a six-pack of beer? Try Charlotte. A haircut that won't burn a hole in your wallet? Harlingen, Texas, is your best bet. A trip to the movies? Hilo, Hawaii, is supposed to be nice this time of year.
-
VIDEO: Tornado survivor's missing dog found during TV interview
Barbara Garcia was being interviewed by CBS News about how she survived the destruction of her home to Monday's massive tornado in Moore, when the dog she feared dead was suddenly discovered alive in the rubble of her home.
-
Okla. front pages capture tornado aftermath
View how several Oklahoma newspapers covered Monday's massive tornado in Moore. Please note that officials revised the death toll downward early Tuesday morning after some papers were printed, but it is expected to climb again as recovery efforts continue.
-
Corn planting soars on break in the weather
The percentage of corn planted in Iowa grew by more than 50 percentage points last week with what experts called the first really good week of weather for farmers.
-
VIDEO: Pres. Obama's remarks on the Okla. tornado
President Obama speaks on Monday's deadly Okla. tornado.
-
69-year-old leads deputies on high speed chase
A homeless man driving a stolen vehicle May 15 in Appanoose County at 2:30 a.m. in an attempt to elude law enforcement rammed the pursuing patrol car and is now facing five class D felony charges. Roy Steed Cope, 69, has been charged by the Appanoose
-
LIVE BLOG: Massive tornado hits south of OKC
A massive tornado touched down Monday afternoon in Moore, Okla., just south of Oklahoma City. Follow live coverage of the aftermath of the storm.
- More Southeast Iowa Headlines
-
