Iowa’s corn, soybeans need rainfall

Lack of rainfall is becoming a problem for corn and soybean crops, particularly in northeast Iowa.

The latest crop condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service shows below average precipitation caused a drop in soil moisture levels in the week that ended on Sunday.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 8 percent very short, 23 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 6 percent very short, 22 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Northeast Iowa was the driest with more than 60 percent of topsoil in very short to short condition.

'Iowa saw some spotty precipitation again last week, but significant parts of the state have missed some of the recent rainfalls and are reaching the point where some moisture is needed,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

Three quarters of Iowa's corn crop was in the dough stage or beyond, 16 days ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the five-year average. Sixteen percent of the corn crop was in the dent stage, 10 days ahead of the previous year but four days behind normal.

Three-quarters of the corn acreage was reported in good to excellent condition.

Eighty-eight percent of the soybean crop was setting pods or beyond, 20 percentage points above last year and 2 points above average. Soybean condition was 73 percent good to excellent.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay was 95 percent complete, 2 percentage points below last year and 1 point below the five-year average. The third cutting of alfalfa hay advanced to 36 percent complete, 1 day ahead of the previous year but just over one week behind the normal pace.

Large square bales brought the top price of $185 per ton at Wednesday's auction at Dyersville Sales. The top price at the Fort Atkinson Hay Auction was $260 per ton for small square bales.