Posted at: 10/15/2012 4:14 PM
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Email to a FriendIowa Harvest Nearly Complete
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Iowa farmers are close to wrapping up this year's harvest as much needed rain finally fell across most of the state.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says 87 percent of the corn crop has been harvested, which is a month ahead of schedule. Ninety-three percent of the soybean crop is in from the fields, which is three weeks ahead of normal.
The USDA says in Monday's report that rain over the weekend helped Iowa's pasture and range land. Hay supplies are running short across 41 percent of the state. Calves are being weaned and sold early due to the short supply of winter hay.
The statewide average rainfall last week was 1.65 inches, triple the normal for the week. It was Iowa's wettest week since early May.
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