Recent heat, humidity help crop development in Iowa

Last week's high temperatures helped corn and soybean crop development in Iowa, but they also increased the level of stress for livestock.

There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork in the week that ended Sunday, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Activities for the week included cutting hay and fungicide application to corn.

Tasseling corn was reported throughout the state. Over half the corn crop reached the silking stage, with 83 percent rated good to excellent.

Soybeans blooming or beyond reached 62 percent, slightly behind 2014, but equal to the five-year average. Fifteen percent of soybeans were setting pods.

Soybean condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent.

Oat acreage turning color or beyond reached 87 percent, with 28 percent of the oat crop harvested for grain or seed, three days ahead of last year, but four days behind the five-year average.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 4 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 4 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said the hot and humid weather increased the stress on Iowa livestock.

'Farmers monitor their animals closely to ensure they remain as comfortable as possible in the hot temperatures,” Northey said in a news release.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay made little progress, advancing just 1 percentage point to 95 percent complete. The second cutting reached 53 percent, slightly ahead of last year, but five days behind normal.

Top price for hay auctioned Wednesday at Dyerville Sales was $140 per ton on new crop second cutting big square bales.