Iowa Farmers Seeing Steady Growth in Crops

Tag : isolated soybean


Iowa experienced another week of rapid crop maturation. Favorableperiods of sun and rain along with heat and humidity contributed tothe advance. In the second half of the week, heavy rain mixed withhail and strong winds in central and western districts causedisolated minor crop damage and soggy conditions for second hayharvest.

There were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 5.5 dayslast year at this time. Topsoil moisture rated 0 percent veryshort, 4 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 26 percent surplusacross the state. Subsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 3percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 29 percent surplus.

Corn height averaged 61 inches, 20 inches behind last year at thistime and 16 inches behind the five-year average. Nearly one-thirdof Iowa's corn crop is tasseling. Corn condition rated 2 percentvery poor, 8 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 14percent excellent. Fifty-three percent of soybeans are blooming, 11days behind last year and one week behind the fiveyear average.Soybean condition rated 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 29percent fair, 47 percent good, and 14 percent excellent.

Seventy-eight percent of the oat crop is turning color, which is 17percentage points behind last year and 19 percentage points behindthe five-year average. Oats condition rated 2 percent very poor, 7percent poor, 32 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 11 percentexcellent. Second cutting of alfalfa is 34 percent complete, 2weeks behind the five-year average. All hay condition rated 1percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 49 percentgood, and 14 percent excellent.

Pasture and range condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percentpoor, 24 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 19 percent excellent.