Iowa’s Crops Hold Strong This Week

By Andi Anderson

Iowa farmers faced a wet and humid week, with only 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 27, 2025, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Despite these conditions, important field activities included harvesting oats, cutting hay, and applying fungicide to crops.

Topsoil moisture conditions in Iowa were rated as 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 30 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated at 2 percent very short, 7 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 24 percent surplus, indicating varied moisture availability across the state.

Corn silking reached 84 percent, which is 1 day ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Additionally, 34 percent of Iowa’s corn has reached the dough stage, 1 day ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of normal.

The condition of the corn crop was reported as 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 10 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 28 percent excellent.

Soybeans are also progressing, with 81 percent of the crop in bloom, which is on par with last year but 2 days behind the typical pace. Fifty-two percent of soybeans were setting pods, 5 days ahead of last year’s pace and 2 days ahead of the five-year average.

The soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 61 percent good, and 21 percent excellent.

Oats were 95 percent turning color, and 49 percent of the crop had been harvested. Oat condition remained strong with 0 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 14 percent fair, 67 percent good, and 16 percent excellent.

In the hay sector, the second cutting of alfalfa reached 87 percent complete, and 28 percent of the third cutting was finished. Hay conditions were rated 86 percent good to excellent, while pasture condition was at 82 percent good to excellent.

Despite the challenging heat and humidity, livestock stress was reported, but overall crop conditions are progressing well.

Photo Credit: istock-rustic