Iowa Ag Connection - Drought Expands in Northwest Iowa

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Drought Expands in Northwest Iowa
Iowa Ag Connection - 06/28/2022

Mostly warm and dry conditions resulted in 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sunday, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included cutting hay and spraying crops.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 22 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.

Corn condition rating was 80 percent good to excellent. Ninety-seven percent of soybeans have emerged, 4 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of the 5-year average. Two percent of soybeans were blooming, 12 days behind last year and 1 week behind the average. Iowa's soybean condition rating remained 80 percent good to excellent. Eighty percent of the oat crop has headed, 2 days behind last year. Twelve percent of oats were turning color, 6 days behind last year. Iowa's oat condition was 81 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-one percent of the State's first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed and the second cutting has started with 6 percent complete. All hay condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 62 percent good to excellent.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said, "The long stretch of hot days finally ended late last week as a shift in the weather pattern moderated temperatures over the weekend. In the presence of below-normal rainfall and warmer-than-average conditions, drought expanded in northwest Iowa, where precipitation deficits have persisted for almost two years. Short-term outlooks into July show better chances of wetter conditions, which would be beneficial as we reach a critical stage in crop development."

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