Rainfall replenishes Iowa topsoil

Iowa farmers by and large were forced to halt field work during the week that ended on Sunday due to frequent rainfall, according to Monday's report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Rainfall totals varied from 0.17 inches in Centerville to 8.08 inches in Hampton.

Temperatures were above normal for the week, while severe storms brought high winds and hail to some parts of the state.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated zero percent very short, 4 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 28 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus.

Corn condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 58 percent good and 21 percent excellent.

With almost all of the state's soybean acreage emerged, soybean condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 58 percent good and 18 percent excellent.

There were isolated reports of soybeans blooming.

'Parts of the state, especially northwest Iowa, are dealing with excess water resulting in pockets of damage from recent severe weather,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.