The southern third of Iowa finally received some much-needed rain, which reduced the days suitable for fieldwork to 5.1 during the week ending July 2, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and spraying crops. Some reports were received of farmers getting equipment ready to start the oat harvest soon.
Topsoil moisture condition across Iowa rated 17 percent very short, 38 percent short, 44 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Ratings in west central Iowa also improved slightly, to 29 percent very short, 38 percent short, 30 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture condition statewide rated 21 percent very short, 40 percent short, 38 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Ratings in west central Iowa were 33 percent very short, 34 percent short, 31 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.
Reports of corn starting to silk were received, hitting 4 percent this week. Corn condition rating improved to 61 percent good to excellent. Twenty-five percent of soybeans were blooming, five days ahead of last year and two days ahead of the 5-year average. There were reports of soybeans starting to set pods. Soybean condition rose to 53 percent good to excellent.
The state’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 35 percent complete, eight days ahead of last year and six days ahead of the average. Hay condition improved slightly to 33 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 24 percent good to excellent. Livestock producers continued to supplement with hay as pasture conditions remained comparable to the previous week.
Weather summary provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., state climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship – A large-scale atmospheric circulation shift brought several rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms over southern Iowa late in the reporting period. This configuration, called a “Ring of Fire,” allowed waves of storms to propagate along the northern boundary of a thermal ridge situated south of Iowa. The southern one-third of the state reported above-average rainfall with drier conditions north. Weekly temperatures were near-seasonal with a statewide average of 72.5 degrees, 0.5 degree cooler than normal.
Scattered showers spun across eastern Iowa on the backside of a departing low-pressure center through Sunday afternoon, June 25. Gusty northwesterly winds also developed as daytime temperatures held in the 70s. Rainfall totals were generally in the 0.10 to 0.20 inch-range with several northeastern stations reporting higher totals; gauges in Dundee (Delaware County) and near Decorah (Winneshiek County) measured 0.42- and 0.45-inch amounts, respectively. Overnight conditions remained mostly cloudy over northern Iowa as temperatures dropped into the 60s.
Source: greenecountynewsonline.com
Photo Credit: gettyimages-wiyadaa
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Harvesting, Weather