Widespread rainfall and continued warmth are supporting crop development across Iowa, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. Iowa farmers had, on average, 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 6. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Widespread showers and thunderstorms across Iowa helped close out a wetter than average June. July got off to a similar start, with hit-or-miss storms over the long holiday weekend. Chances of rain remain in the forecast for portions of the state this week. Outlooks for the next few weeks indicate that warm weather is likely to stick around as we enter the peak of county fair season and an important period for corn and soybean development.” Corn silking reached 15 percent, even with last year but two days ahead of the five-year average. Corn was rated 86 percent good to excellent. Soybeans were 36 percent blooming, three days ahead of last year and one day behind average, and nine percent were setting pods. Seventy-nine percent of the soybean crop was rated in good to excellent condition. As for moisture conditions, topsoil measured 11 percent short to very short, 73 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 17 percent short to very short, 73 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. Check the full report online at www.nass.usda.gov.
