Iowa crops make good progress in warmer weather

Last week's hotter and more humid weather provided a needed boost to crops, according to the USDA's weekly Crop Report.

Temperatures across Iowa averaged 1.7 degrees above normal, the USDA reported, and the average statewide precipitation of 0.92 inches was just below the weekly average of 1.04 inches for the week ending July 3.

The top official heat index for the week was 112 degrees at Des Moines on Thursday, although unofficial readings were much higher.

The condition of the corn crop across Iowa was rated 28 percent excellent, 54 percent good, 15 percent fair, 2 percent poor and 1 percent very poor.

The soybean crop is faring only slightly worse. The USDA reported 23 percent of the soybean crop is excellent, 56 percent good, 17 percent fair, 3 percent poor and 1 percent very poor.

Twenty percent of the oat crop has turned color, lagging behind thee47 percent that had turned color by the same date last year.

The first alfalfa cutting had been completed on 91 percent of alfalfa acres, compared to an average of 93 percent in prior years. The second alfalfa cutting is lagging previous years, at 30 percent complete compared to the normal 21 percent.

Precipitation in Cedar Rapids totaled only .15 inches, or .88 inches less than normal and the temperature averaged 2 degrees above normal.

In Iowa City, 0.38 inches of precipitation was reported, or .74 inches less than normal. The temperature also averaged 2 degrees above normal.