Dry, hot weather stressing Iowa crops

Depending on where they live, Iowa farmers are dealing with too much rainfall or heat and dry conditions that is stressing crops.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday reported very warm conditions and spotty rains prevailed across much of Iowa during the week that ended on Sunday. High temperatures and lack of precipitation, especially across the lower two-thirds of the state, is causing corn leaves to curl to conserve moisture.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 5 percent very short, 19 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 2 percent very short, 12 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus.

Districts in the northern third of Iowa had the highest topsoil moisture levels with more than 90 percent rated adequate to surplus. South central and southeast Iowa reported topsoil moisture levels over 50 percent short to very short.

'The warm temperatures have helped crops progress and in general they remain in good condition, with 79 percent of corn and 80 percent of beans rated as good to excellent,' Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said in a news release.

'Unfortunately, some areas are becoming very dry and are seeing signs of crop stress. Portions of Northern Iowa have receive too much rain or damaging storms that have caused some crop damage.'

Despite the contrasting moisture patterns, more than 75 percent of Iowa's corn crop continues to be rated in good to excellent condition, according to the USDA. Soybean condition was rated 80 percent good to excellent.

Oats headed reached 81 percent, five days ahead of last year and six days ahead of normal. Oat acreage coloring reached 4 percent.

Oat condition was rated 80 percent good to excellent.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay reached 96 percent complete, more than two weeks ahead of average. The second cutting of alfalfa reached 6 percent.

Top price for big square bales at the Dyersville Hay Auction on June 15 was $107.50 per ton, with wet and damaged square bales selling for $22.50 to $22.65 per ton.