Bill Northey Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey commented on the Iowa crop progress and condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through October.

“The above average temperatures and frequent rains continued this week.

Although we could use a break from the rain in some parts of the state, the crop remains in very good condition with 76% of corn and 73% of beans in good to excellent condition,” Northey said.

CROP REPORT

Frequent precipitation hindered fieldwork with only 2.3 days suitable across Iowa during the week ending August 31, 2014, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Above average temperatures aided crop development, and farmers are hopeful these temperatures will continue. Wet conditions have slowed hay harvest. Diseases in both corn and soybeans were reported across the State.

Recent precipitation increased soil moisture. Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 76 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. East central Iowa was the driest with one-quarter of its topsoil in ver