The first week of August reported unseasonably wet, aiding in drought conditions across the state according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report from the USDA and Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). In the week ending Aug. 10, farmers had 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork which most activities included harvesting oats and hay as the rainy conditions allowed. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says “After a soggy and muggy start to the Iowa State Fair, temperatures and humidity eased, making for a more pleasant first Sunday of the event. Unfortunately, there are parts of the state, especially in eastern Iowa, that are also dealing with localized flooding from several waves of heavy rainfall. Looking ahead, forecasts are indicating seasonal temperatures and drier conditions for the final week of the fair.” Topsoil moisture conditions rated two percent short to very short, 68 percent adequate, and 30 percent surplus, with subsoil moisture rating three percent short to very short, 71 percent adequate and 26 percent surplus. Iowa’s corn continues to progress with 96 percent in the silking stage, and 68 percent in the dough stage, marking one day ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Across the state, 15 percent of the corn crop was dented. Corn conditions rate three percent poor to very poor, 11 percent fair, 57 percent good and 29 percent excellent. Soybean blooming reached 93 percent, with 75 percent of the crop setting pods, recording two days ahead of last year but three days behind the five-year average. Soybean conditions rated three percent poor to very poor, 16 percent fair, 60 percent good and 21 percent excellent. The complete report can be found online at www.nass.usda.gov.
Wet First Week Of August Continues To Promote Crop Growth In Latest USDA Iowa Crop Progress And Condition Report
