Dry conditions continue to be a concern in west central Iowa as well as other areas of the state. “After a relatively cool end to May, above-average temperatures arrived at the end of last week, which will help push crops along,” says Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig. “The forecast shows warm temperatures and limited chances of rain so we’re continuing to keep a close eye on drought conditions,” he adds. Farmers across the state had 6.2 days suitable for field work for the week ending June 6, according to the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. The activities included some planting, spraying post-emergence herbicides, side dressing nitrogen, baling cover crops and harvesting hay. Producers in the upper two-thirds of Iowa re-planted corn and soybeans due to frost damage that occurred in late May. Corn emergence reached 96 percent, nine days ahead of the five-year average and the crop is rated 77 percent good to excellent. Nearly all of Iowa’s soybean crop is in the ground with 98 percent planted, almost two weeks ahead of the norm. Soybean emergence has reached 86 percent, nine days ahead of the average, with conditions rated 73 percent good to excellent. The full Crop Progress and Condition Report can be found at nass.usda.gov.
