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Crop Report from the Iowa field office of the National Agricultural Statistical Service in Des Moines. Issued Feb. 1

More snow, ice
During the month of January Iowa received more snow, cold temperatures, and ice which caused problems for everyone. The snow and ice storms brought power outages and road closures lasting several days. The winter weather slowed the progress of grain movement and the harvest of corn still standing in fields. The extreme temperatures caused stress levels for livestock to increase along with their need for feed and hay. Chopping ice to keep water available for livestock and removing heavy snow off barn roofs continue to keep producers busy as January comes to a close.

The average depth of snow cover for the month of January was 12 inches, above last year’s average of 9 inches. Frost penetration averaged 10 inches compared to last year’s 19 inches. Soil moisture availability rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus. Grain movement for the state was 31 percent none, 48 percent light, 19 percent moderate, and 2 percent heavy.

Availability of hay and roughage supplies was 19 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Quality of hay and roughage supplies was 10 percent poor, 55 percent fair, and 35 percent good. Utilization of stubble fields for grazing rated 57 percent none, 33 percent light, 9 percent moderate, and 1 percent heavy.

Hog and pig losses in January were 6 percent below average, 88 percent average, and 6 percent above average. Cattle and calf losses were 4 percent below average, 87 percent average, and 9 percent above average.

Outlook -- El Niño typically brings Iowa milder than normal mid-winter temperatures; however, such conditions have yet to materialize this winter. Snow cover remains over all but far southeastern Iowa and is substantial over about the northwestern one-half of the state. Although only temporary, a large area of snow and ice extends across the southern plains states through the mid-Mississippi valley thanks to the passage of a major winter storm in late January. The snow cover will slow the rate of warming across Iowa but does not guarantee a continuation of a colder than normal weather pattern.

A growing worry is the extensive moisture-rich snow pack across Iowa. The amount of water stored in the snowpack varies from 2 to 4 inches over most of the northwest one-half of the state. River levels are at near-record levels for this time of year over most of Iowa. Soil moisture levels are also above normal statewide, with the wettest conditions over the east central and southeast districts. All of these factors increase the odds of substantial flooding this spring.

The one bit of good news is that frost depths are unusually shallow (thanks to heavy snow coming prior to the arrival of very cold weather), thus some of the snow water may be able to percolate into the soil. The later the snow cover remains into the spring the greater the odds of flooding. This is because the odds of a major warm-up increase as the days grow longer, thus melting the snow more rapidly. Also, the probability of receiving substantial rainfall increases as we pass later in the spring, enhancing the chances of substantial rainfall coinciding with the snow melt.

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The Maize Page Cooperative Federal-State Maize Breeding Project A kernel of truth about ethanol ISU yield test results World of Corn National Corn Growers Association Iowa Corn Promotion Board The Corn Rootworm Home Page The European Corn Borer Home Page Management Calculator for First-Generation European Corn Borer A Corn Grower's Guidebook Heat Unit Calculator LDP Information Calculate corn yields and returns Maize maze designs