Crop conditions improve in latest week

The widespread rainfall that fell across Iowa over the last week helped improve soil moisture and gave soybean farmers some hope that their plants will produce more pods.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's weekly crops and weather report showed 27 percent of the corn crop is now mature, two weeks ahead of normal. Corn condition is reported at 23 percent very poor, 30 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 14 percent good and 1 percent excellent.

Pods are being set on 98 percent of the soybean crop. Nineteen percent of the soybean crop is turning color, ahead of last year's 3 percent and the five-year average of 6 percent.

Reports of soybean leaves dropping came in from across the state.

Soybean condition is reported at 14 percent very poor, 22 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 23 percent good, and 2 percent excellent.

Topsoil moisture levels improved to 49 percent very short, 30 percent short, 19 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture also improved to 64 percent very short, 30 percent short, 6 percent adequate, and zero percent surplus.

Nineteen percent of Iowa's pasture and range land is rated in fair or better condition, a 3 percent increase from last week. Pasture and range condition are rated 55 percent very poor, 26 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 4 percent good and zero percent excellent.

The statewide average rainfall for the week was 1.29 inches, up from a normal 0.91 inches. This was the wettest week in 10 weeks and only the second week of the past 15 weeks to average greater than normal rainfall.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said the rainfall was good news for Iowa soybean farmers.

"The widespread rain this weekend was very welcome and hopefully helped the soybean crop set and fill a few more pods," he said.  "The crop continues to mature rapidly and will likely result in a record early harvest in many parts of the state this year."

Monday's USDA report cited indications had harvesting of corn for grain and seed already has begun.