Iowa Ag Connection - High Temps, Humidity Plus Rain Push Iowa Crops

Iowa Ag News Headlines

High Temps, Humidity Plus Rain Push Iowa Crops
Iowa Ag Connection - 07/26/2016

Recent heat and humidity helped speed crop development although frequent rains allowed Iowa farmers only 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Activities for the week included aerial fungicide application to corn and cutting hay when fields were dry enough.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 2 percent very short, 10 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus.

Eighty-seven percent of the corn crop reached the silking stage, 8 days ahead of normal, with 11 percent of the corn crop reaching the dough stage. Corn condition rated 82 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming reached 83 percent, 6 days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Forty-four percent of soybeans were setting pods, 6 days ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 81 percent good to excellent last week. Oats harvested for grain or seed reached 54 percent, 2 days ahead of last year. Oat crop condition rated 79 percent good to excellent.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 87 percent, more than 2 weeks ahead of last year. The third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 13 percent. Hay condition was rated 73 percent good to excellent, while pasture condition rated 62 percent good to excellent. Pastures and hay crops were growing. Livestock experienced some stress due to high levels of heat and humidity.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey commented on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through October.

"The high temperatures and humidity were balanced with rain in most of Iowa, and the crop has responded well with 82 percent of corn and 81 percent of soybeans rated good or excellent condition. The hay crop has also had a good summer and pastures in much of the state are in great shape," Northey said.

Other Iowa Headlines