Iowa Ag Connection - Half of Iowa Topsoil Moisture Short to Very Short

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Half of Iowa Topsoil Moisture Short to Very Short
Iowa Ag Connection - 08/11/2020

Most of Iowa saw little to no rain as farmers had 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sunday, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities continue to be spraying, harvesting hay and grain movement.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 22% very short, 39% short, 38% adequate and 1% surplus. For the first time since the week ending September 17, 2017, the State's topsoil moisture condition rated over half short to very short. Subsoil moisture condition rated 16% very short, 37% short, 46% adequate and 1% surplus. This was the first time since the week ending October 1, 2017, the State's subsoil moisture condition rated over half short to very short.

Corn was 66% in the dough stage or beyond, 12 days ahead of the previous year and 5 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn in dent stage reached 9%. That is over a week ahead of the previous year, but just 1 day ahead of average. Corn condition fell to 69% good to excellent. Soybeans were 94% blooming or beyond, 4 days ahead of average. Soybeans setting pods are 2 weeks ahead of last year and a week ahead of average at 83%. Soybean condition fell to 70% good to excellent. Oats harvested for grain was 94% complete, 6 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the average.

Alfalfa hay second cutting was 94% complete, 5 days ahead of last year but equal to the 5-year average. The third cutting was 37% complete, 10 days ahead of the previous year but equal to average. Hay condition continued to decline at 60% good to excellent. Pasture condition fell to just 37% good to excellent.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

"Many farmers and agribusinesses experienced damage to crops, grain bins and buildings as severe storms tracked across the state this morning. My thoughts are with everyone who was affected as they begin clean up," said Naig. "Though some parts of Iowa received beneficial rainfall last week, drought conditions continued to expand, including the introduction of extreme drought in west-central Iowa. Cooler temperatures helped relieve some drought-related stresses. Chances of thunderstorms and seasonably warm temperatures continue through the next several days."

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