Corn Belt soils remain dry, as winter approaches   Resize text 
       The U.S. Department of Agriculture is wrapping up its
reporting period for crop progress and soil conditions. While
nearly all of the crops have been harvested, the big story that
remains is the amount of soil moisture as the Corn Belt moves
into winter, when there is less that can soak into the
soil. Following is a report on soil moisture conditions and
related anecdotes reported by USDA’s 4,000 volunteer reporters.
ILLINOIS: Days suitable for fieldwork 5.0. Topsoil moisture 3%
very short, 15% short, 78% adequate, 4% surplus. Subsoil
moisture 16% very short, 40% short, 44% adequate.  INDIANA: Days
suitable for fieldwork 5.8. Topsoil moisture 2% very short, 11%
short, 80% adequate, 7% surplus. Subsoil moisture 11% very
short, 28% short, 58% adequate, 3% surplus.    IOWA: There were
6.3 days suitable for fieldwork Statewide during the past week.
Topsoil moisture levels declined to 28 percent very short, 38
percent short, 33 percent adequa