Iowa farmers experienced a challenging week as heavy rainfall and storm damage limited fieldwork, according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For the week ending Aug. 3, Iowa farmers had just 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Preliminary data show July 2025 will rank as the second wettest July on record in Iowa, with statewide rainfall averaging more than nine inches. A derecho last week brought damaging winds to northern and eastern parts of the state, causing damage to crops, trees, buildings, and vehicles. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Our hearts go out to impacted Iowans as they work to clean up damage to trees, buildings, and vehicles, and assess impacts on crops and livestock.” Despite the severe weather, crop conditions remained generally positive, with 85 percent of the corn crop and 80 percent of soybeans rated good to excellent. As for moisture conditions, topsoil measured just five percent short to very short, 64 percent adequate, and 31 percent surplus. Subsoil conditions were similar at seven percent short to very short, 66 percent adequate, and 27 percent surplus. Find the full report online at www.nass.usda.gov.
