Little precipitation and above average temperatures resulted in 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sunday, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included cutting hay and starting fungicide applications.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 24 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 8 percent very short, 23 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.
Corn silking or beyond was 31 percent, 4 days behind both last year and the 5-year average. Scattered reports throughout the State showed 1 percent of the corn crop reached the dough stage. Corn condition rating was 81 percent good to excellent. Fifty-five percent of soybeans were blooming, 6 days behind last year and 2 days behind average. Thirteen percent of the soybean crop was setting pods, 1 week behind last year and 3 days behind the 5-year average. Iowa's soybean condition rating was 78 percent good to excellent. Nearly all the oat crop has headed with 67 percent of oats turning color or beyond, 1 week behind last year. Oat harvest for grain reached 16 percent, 3 days behind last year. Iowa's oat condition was 81 percent good to excellent.
Fifty-five percent of the State's second cutting of alfalfa hay was complete. All hay condition rated 72 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 57 percent good to excellent. Livestock were stressed due to above average heat and humidity with pinkeye in cattle still an issue.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said, "Near-average temperatures and timely rainfall helped push along tasseling corn over the past week. As county fair season ramps up, outlooks show hot and dry conditions will develop over the next week as limited chances of rain will increase the likelihood of drought expansion in northwest Iowa."
Categories: Iowa, Crops, Corn, Alfalfa