Precipitation amounts during November allowed for a continued improvement in the drought conditions across northeast Iowa. Precipitation amounts for the month averaged 0.5 to 1.5 inches which allowed for a one category improvement in some northeast Iowa counties.  Enough precipitation was received across Chickasaw, Clayton and Fayette Counties for them to be removed from the severe drought classification. Improvement was also noted in Floyd, Howard and Mitchell Counties, but not enough to remove them from the severe to extreme drought classification. Dairy farmers were impacted by the drought during the latter half of the year because of higher feed costs. Milk production increased during the first part of the year leading to lower milk prices. Milk prices remained low over the latter half of the year, which combined with higher feed costs, caused the milk price to feed cost margin to drop to just above $1 per hundredweight after being between $7 and $9 at this time in 2011. The USDA announced that the harvest price payout for crop insurance would be $7.50 per bushel for corn and $15.39 per bushel for soybeans while the non-harvest price payout would be $5.68 per bushel for corn and $12.55 per bushel for soybeans. Topsoil and subsoil water levels were extremely low across the state of Iowa due to the ongoing drought and farmers were urged to not do any fall tillage. Reports indicate there was an average of 2 to 4 inches of water in the top five feet of soil in Iowa when a normal soil moisture profile is 10 to 11 inches. Topsoil statewide was rated at 28 percent very short and 41 percent short with the subsoil rated at 62 percent very short and 31 percent short.

Drought in HOWARD, IOWA
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across Howard County averaged 0.75 to 1 inch during November. This was enough precipitation for some improvement in the drought to occur. By the end of the month, only the northwest corner of the county remained in a severe drought. Improvements over the remainder of the county removed those areas from the severe to extreme drought. River flows continue to be less than 20 percent of normal along with deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in CLAYTON, IOWA
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 13-NOV-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across Clayton County averaged 1.25 to 1.5 inches during November. This was enough precipitation to improve the soil moisture conditions and end the severe drought classification.

Drought in FAYETTE, IOWA
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 13-NOV-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across Fayette County averaged 1.25 to 1.5 inches during November. This was enough precipitation to improve the soil moisture conditions and end the severe drought classification.

Drought in FLOYD, IOWA
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across Floyd County averaged 0.75 to 1 inch during November. This was enough precipitation for some improvement in the drought to occur. By the end of the month, the severe to extreme drought conditions covered the northwest two-thirds of the county. Improvements over the southeast third of the county removed those areas from the severe drought. River flows continue to be less than 20 percent of normal on the Cedar River along with deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in MITCHELL, IOWA
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 30-NOV-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across Mitchell County averaged 0.5 to 0.75 inches during November. This was not enough precipitation for any significant change in the drought conditions to occur. The northwest three quarters of the county remains in an extreme drought with the remainder of the county in a severe drought. River flows continue to be less than 20 percent of normal on the Cedar River along with deeper than normal ground water levels.

Drought in CHICKASAW, IOWA
From 01-NOV-12 00:00:00 to 13-NOV-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Precipitation amounts across Chickasaw County averaged 1 to 1.25 inches during November. This was enough precipitation to improve the soil moisture conditions and end the severe drought classification.