27 OCTOBER 2019 - POLK CITY, IOWA: A sign on the edge of a partially harvested corn field near Polk City, Iowa. Iowa farmers have been weeks behind schedule through most of the 2019 growing season. A cold, wet spring across most of the state delayed planting by about 2 weeks. A historically wet October has pushed the harvest of soybeans and corn back by up to 3 weeks. Central Iowa normally gets about 2.6 inches of rain in October, this year central Iowa has received about 7.3 inches of rain. This year has been the wettest year on record in Iowa. Farmers have also been contending with low prices, brought on by trade war between the US and China. The Chinese government imposed retaliatory tariffs on US agricultural products and cancelled orders of corn, soybeans, and pork, all important Iowa agricultural products. Soybean prices have fallen by as much as 20%. PHOTO BY JACK KURTZ
Add to Cart Add to Lightbox Download