Above average temperatures and below normal precipitation for the week led to 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 25, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and spraying crops. The persistent dryness has led to many reports of visible crop stress; however, north central and northeast Iowa received some much-needed rain.
Topsoil moisture condition statewide rated 22 percent very short, 45 percent short, 32 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Ratings in west central Iowa were similar, at 24 percent very short, 41 percent short, 33 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture condition across Iowa rated 24 percent very short, 44 percent short, 31 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Ratings in west central Iowa were 32 percent very short, 44 percent short, 22 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.
Some reports of corn starting to silk were received this week. Corn condition continued to decline, rating 56 percent good to excellent, compared to 59 percent a week ago. Ten percent of soybeans were blooming, 6 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean condition dropped to 48 percent good to excellent, also compared to 56 percent a week ago.
The state’s first cutting of alfalfa hay is virtually complete, and the second cutting reached 18 percent complete, 6 days ahead of both last year and the average. Hay condition declined to 32 percent good to excellent, compared to 36 percent a week ago. Pasture condition rated just 23 percent good to excellent. Livestock producers continued to supplement with hay as pasture conditions deteriorated and reports were received about water supply concerns as some ponds and creeks continued to dry out.
Iowa preliminary weather summary provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D, state climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – Showers and strong to severe thunderstorms brought much-needed rainfall at the end of an unseasonably warm and dry reporting period. Many northern Iowa stations observed above-average totals while southern Iowa remained below average. Temperatures were up to six degrees warmer than normal northwest with a statewide average temperature of 74.1 degrees, 2.1 degrees warmer than normal.
Showers and thunderstorms spun across eastern Iowa through Sunday afternoon, June 18, with mostly sunny conditions over the rest of the state. Daytime highs remained in the upper 70s and low 80s, though conditions were five to 10 degrees cooler under clouds. Locally heavier rainfall totals were reported in northeast Iowa, ranging from 2.23 inches in Independence (Buchanan County) to 2.43 inches near Decorah (Winneshiek County). General totals in eastern Iowa were in the 0.20 to 0.50-inch range.
Source: greenecountynewsonline.com
Photo Credit: GettyImages-ChrisBoswell
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Livestock, Weather