Corn, soybean crops appear to be healthy

Despite cool, wet weather in June that prevented some farmers from planting, Iowa's corn and soybean crops are looking pretty good, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Eighty-two percent of the corn crop is rated good to excellent. Seventeen percent of the crop reached the silking stage in the week that ended Sunday, two days behind last year and three days behind the five-year average, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Soybean condition is rated 78 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming or beyond reached 40 percent, with some reports of soybeans setting pods.

Eighty-two percent of Iowa's oat crop was rated good to excellent. Nearly all of the oats were headed or beyond.

Oat acreage turning color reached 69 percent, with 13 percent of the oat crop harvested, four days ahead of last year, but two days behind normal.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 40 percent, five days ahead of last year, but four days behind the five-year average. Hay condition was rated at 71 percent good to excellent, while pasture condition was rated 79 percent good to excellent.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 20 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus.

Reporters in north-central and northwest Iowa said more rain is needed.

State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said the statewide average precipitation was 1.5 inches in the week that ended Sunday, while normal for the week is 1.05 inches.

'In general, much of the crop remains in good to excellent condition across the state,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey in a news release.

'Unfortunately, there are some wet spots and other crop damage from the wet weather seen in June.”