Iowa crops generally ‘in good condition’

Iowa's corn and soybean crops are generally 'in good condition,” according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, despite some reports of stress due to hot, dry weather.

The Iowa crops and weather report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistical Service said a dry start with rain near the end of the week provided farmers with five days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included cutting hay, applying fungicide to corn, and herbicide and insecticide application to soybeans.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 6 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 5 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus.

Northwest Iowa was the driest area of the state with 25 percent rated very short to short in terms of topsoil moisture.

Eighty-three percent of Iowa's corn crop had reached the silking stage or beyond, with 11 percent reaching the dough stage. Corn condition was rated 83 percent good to excellent. Soybeans blooming or beyond reached 78 percent during the week that ended on Sunday. Thirty-seven percent of soybeans were setting pods, slightly ahead of average. Soybean condition was rated 76 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-six percent of the state's oat crop was turning color or beyond. Fifty-seven percent of the oat crop has been harvested for grain or seed, five days ahead of last year.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay neared completion, while the second cutting reached 68 percent, a day behind last year, and nearly a week behind the five-year average.

Hay condition was rated at 68 percent good to excellent, while pasture condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent.

State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said the combination of heat and humidity pushed the heat index to 101 degrees at Iowa City on Saturday.