Weekend rain for much of the state helped prevent drought conditions from worsening, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. For the week ending Aug. 7, producers had an average of 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork, mainly cutting and baling hay and applying chemicals. Topsoil moisture conditions were mostly unchanged, with 50 percent of the state rated short to very short. Subsoil moisture conditions topped 52 percent short to very short. Corn conditions fell to 73 percent good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of the crop was silking or beyond, five days behind 2021 and three days behind the five-year average. Over half the crop has reached the dough stage, two days behind last year but a day ahead of normal. An estimated five percent of corn has reached the dent stage. As for soybeans, conditions dropped to 71 percent good to excellent. Sixty-nine percent had begun setting pods, a week behind last year and a day behind the average. Persistent dry conditions led to the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announcement CRP was released for grazing and haying in some areas as pastures go dormant. The weekly Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
