Dry weather stressing Iowa crops

Dry weather in the week that ended Sunday gave Iowa farmers almost six days for fieldwork, but it also stressed some crops with scattered reports of sudden death syndrome in soybean fields.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 13 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus, according to the Iowa crops and weather report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Subsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Sparse precipitation in north central and northeast Iowa resulted in declining topsoil and subsoil moisture levels across the area, with subsoil moisture around one-quarter short to very short.

The statewide average precipitation was 0.28 inches while normal for the week is 0.98 inches. It was Iowa's driest reporting week in 15 weeks, according to State Climatologist Harry Hillaker.

Seventy-four percent of Iowa's corn crop reached the dough stage or beyond, with 14 percent dented or beyond, five days behind the five-year average. Corn condition was rated 82 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans blooming or beyond reached 95 percent last week, eight days behind the previous year. Eighty-four percent of soybeans were setting pods, with a few reports of soybeans beginning to turn color.

Soybean condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-seven percent of the oat crop for grain or seed has been harvested, a day ahead of last year, but two days behind the five-year average.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay was equal to last year with 95 percent complete. The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 45 percent complete, three days behind the five-year average. Hay condition was rated 66 percent good to excellent, but pasture condition dropped 6 percentage points to 67 percent good to excellent.