The weather pattern in Iowa and much of the western Midwest during November al­­lowed a fairly quick finish to soybean harvest, as well as a faster pace in corn harvest.

According to the U.S. drought monitor, there are still some lingering drought conditions south of U.S. Highway 30 in the central and eastern part of the state, but the extent and severity of drought conditions in Iowa were reduced by above-normal October precipitation.  

Heading into winter, soil moisture is still the...