Weather brings spotty relief for crops

Spotty rainfall brought relief to crops in some parts of Iowa while missing other areas entirely during the week that ended Sunday, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 8 percent very short, 25 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 4 percent very short, 20 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

South central and southeast Iowa continued to have the lowest levels of topsoil moisture in the state with two-thirds short to very short.

Six percent of the corn crop had reached the silking stage, with 79 percent of the crop rated good to excellent.

Soybeans blooming reached 20 percent, two days ahead of last year and the five-year average. There were scattered reports of soybeans setting pods and soybean condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent.

Oats turning color reached 51 percent, five days ahead of last year and six days ahead of normal. Harvesting oats for grain or seed has begun in some areas.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 48 percent, two weeks ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of normal. Hay condition was rated at 71 percent good to excellent.

At the Dyersville Hay Market on June 29, the top price of $175 per ton was paid for large square bales of last year's third crop western hay from Nebraska with a 162 relative feed value (RFV) index. The RFV index is a measure of hay quality.

Round bales of second cutting alfalfa sold from $100 to $122.50 per ton.

Demand was good for better hay and no so good for damaged and grinding hay. That market is saturated.