Most of the state saw little rainfall and above average temperatures resulting in 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sunday, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included cutting hay and spraying corn and soybeans.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 17 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 19 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.
Corn condition rating was 83 percent good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of soybeans have emerged, 6 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of average. Iowa's soybean condition rating was 80 percent good to excellent. Sixty-two percent of the oat crop has headed, 3 days behind last year. Iowa's oat condition remained at 82 percent good to excellent.
Eighty-one percent of the State's first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, 1 week behind the previous year and 4 days behind average. Some producers were working on their second cutting. All hay condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 62 percent good to excellent. High temperatures resulted in some stress for livestock.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said, "Unseasonably hot temperatures blanketed Iowa last week as isolated areas of moisture stress began showing in corn and soybeans. Pockets of dryness are showing up in southeastern Iowa and drought has expanded in the northwest, where late spring rains have been sparse. Looking ahead, chances of rain remain in the forecast with early summer warmth subsiding."
Categories: Iowa, Weather