Harsh weather didn't dampen crop prospects

(Modified at 3:51 P.M. 7/18/11 to include comments of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey)

Crops grew rapidly last week despite a powerful wind storm that flattened many corn fields and damaged many farm buildings, according to the USDA's weekly crop report.

Temperatures for the week averaged 2.8 degrees above normal and rainfall amounts averaged 1.23 inches, about one-quarter inch above the five-year average of 0.96 inches. Torrential rains caused flash flooding in Dickinson County on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings, on Worth County on Friday evening and in Cass County on Saturday morning.

Despite the rough weather, the report indicated the corn crop was overwhelmingly in good condition and growing fast. The condition of the corn crop was rated 28 percent excellent, 52 percent good, 16 percent fair, 3 percent poor and 1 percent very poor.

“The heat is certainly on and helping the crop mature rapidly and nearly catching up to the five year average,” Iow a Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said.  “Fortunately, 80 percent of the corn crop and 82 percent of the soybean crop remains in good to excellent conditions despite heavy rains and flooding in northwest and western Iowa, damage from straight line winds in central and eastern Iowa, and dry conditions in southern and southeast Iowa.”

By week's end, 56 percent of the corn was tasseling, almost on par with the five-year average of 57 percent. Nearly one-third of the corn crop is silking, not far from the five-year average of 38 percent on the same date.

The condition of the soybean crop was slightly better, with 27 percent considered excellent, 55 percent considered good, 15 percent considered fair, 2 percent considered poor and 1 percent considered very poor.

The report said cattle were suffering fly infestations and pink eye because of the heat and humidity, which has been suppressing appetitites and slowing weight gain.

Rainfall for the week was measured at .50 inches in Cedar Rapids and at .96 inches in Iowa City.

T