116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Weather in Iowa slows development of crops
George C. Ford
Sep. 16, 2014 12:00 pm, Updated: Sep. 16, 2014 2:25 pm
CEDAR RAPIDS - A very cool and wet week with frost reported across much of Iowa on Saturday slowed corn and soybean crop development, according to the weekly crop progress report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Iowa's corn crop reached 83 percent in or beyond the dent stage, five days ahead of the previous year but four days behind the five-year average. Nineteen percent of the corn acreage was mature, three days ahead of last year but 11 days behind normal.
Seventy-six percent of the corn acreage was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week.
Leaves were changing color on 51 percent of the soybean crop, four days ahead of the previous year, but four days behind average. Seventy-four percent of the soybean acreage was in good to excellent condition.
Another week of above normal precipitation increased soil moisture levels across the state. Frost arrived on Saturday morning with official temperatures dipping to 31 degrees at Elkader, Estherville, Mason City, Sheldon, Sioux Center, Stanley and Webster City.
Topsoil moisture was rated 4 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 20 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus.
The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 71 percent complete, just over two weeks behind both last year and the five-year average. Reports indicated hay conditions were wet with concerns that a third cutting may not be completed.
Large square bales of dairy-quality hay brought top prices of $185 per ton at Wednesday's auction at Dyersville Sales. Large round bales of third crop hay sold for a top price of $145 per ton.
At the Fort Atkinson Hay Auction, third crop small square bales brought a top price of $215 per ton. Second crop big square bales sold for a top price of $200 per ton.