Crops continue to thrive and remain in good standing according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the USDA and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Iowa farmers had 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending July 27 which consisted of harvesting oats, cutting hay and applying fungicide. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says “Last week was hot and muggy as a heat dome settled over the Midwest, producing some sweltering heat and humidity. Forecasts show chances for a few more thunderstorms this week, followed by a welcome break from the hot weather. With a few days to go in the month, preliminary estimates indicate it could rank among the top ten wettest Julys on record.” Storms from last week produced strong winds in area, with Coon Rapids recording the strongest wing gust at 82 miles per hour, with weekly precipitation ranging between .12 inches to 7.26 inches, with the average at 1.58 inches, a little over .60 inches above the normal. Topsoil moisture conditions rated five percent short to very short, 65 percent adequate and 30 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture nine percent short to very short, 67 percent adequate and 24 percent surplus. Corn silking reached 84 percent, one day ahead of last year and the five-year average. Corn reaching the dough stage is also ahead by one day last year and three days ahead of the five-year average at 84 percent. Corn condition rated three percent poor to very poor, ten percent fair and 87 percent good to excellent. Soybean blooming reached 81 percent which is unchanged from last year but behind by 2 days on the five-year average. Pod setting is at 52 percent, five days ahead from last year and two days ahead of the five-year average. Soybean conditions rated three percent poor to very poor, 15 percent fair, and 82 percent good to excellent. Find the complete report online at www.nass.usda.gov.
