Corn condition declines slightly in last week's heat

Iowa crops continued to develop quickly in last week's heat and humidity, with some deterioration seen in the corn crop.

Temperatures averaged 4.8 degrees above normal for the week ended Sunday, August 7, according to the USDA's weekly Iowa Crops & Weather report. Temperatures climbed above 100 over pasts of the state on Monday and Tuesday, the hottest weather of the season so far, then moderated to as low as 55 degrees on Thursday in Cresco.

The USDA's weekly Crops & Weather report said 51 percent of the corn remained in good condition and 22 percent was in excellent condition. Another 20 percent remained in fair condition on Sunday, August 7, while 5 percent was in poor condition and 2 percent was in very poor condition.

“The break in the heat and rain toward the end of last week was a very welcome change and good news for both crop and livestock farmers," said Bill Northey, Iowa secretary of agriculture and land stewardship. "The weather has also allowed hay harvest to continue and second cutting of alfalfa is now ahead of the five-year average,” Northey said. “Hopefully the more seasonable weather forecast for this week will benefit crops stressed by the heat.”

The condition of the soybean crop was virtually unchanged from the previous week, at 23 percent excellent, 52 percent good, 19 percent fair, 5 percent poor and 1 percent very poor.

The soybean crop was progressing more slowly than average, while the corn crop is slightly ahead of average maturity for this time of year.

Temperatures in Cedar Rapids reached a high of 94 and a low of 63 for the week, while Iowa City temperatures ranged from 98 to 68. Precipitation in both cities was below normal for the week, at 0.14 inches in Cedar Rapids and 0.46 inches in Iowa City.

Farmers had 6.2 days suitable for field work.

Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov or on USDA's site at www.nass.usda.gov/ia. The report follows here: