Crops maturing, rain delays fieldwork

Iowa's corn and soybean crops continued to mature in the week that ended on Sunday as harvest approaches.

The latest report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service shows average temperatures for the week were above normal, aiding crop development. Disease concerns were reported in corn and soybeans across parts of Iowa.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 7 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 2 percent very short, 12 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.

Virtually all of Iowa's corn crop was in the dough stage or beyond, and 72 percent had reached the dent stage, a week ahead of the previous year but three days behind the five-year average. Six percent of the corn acreage was mature, slightly ahead of last year but almost two weeks behind normal.

Seventy-six percent of Iowa's corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week. With almost the entire soybean crop setting pods or beyond - 26 percent of soybean leaves were turning color, five days ahead of the previous year, but four days behind average. Seventy-three percent of the soybean acreage was in good to excellent condition, equal to the previous week.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 64 percent complete, almost two weeks behind last year and the five-year average. Sixty-seven percent of all hay was rated in good to excellent condition.

Top price for hay at Dyersville Sales on Sept. 3 was $210 per ton for premium large square bales. At the Fort Atkinson Hay Auction on the same day, the top price was $195 for third crop small square bales.

Little or no hay has been cut and baled in the last month due to high humidity and a persistent pattern of rain.