DES MOINES (SPECIAL) –

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

“Sunshine and dry weather have been helpful this past week, fortunately some farmers have been able to re-plant some areas affected by flooding”, Northey said. “In areas not affected by flooding the corn is looking good.”

Agricultural Summary: Most of Iowa received a fairly dry week following the Fourth of July weekend. Warm, summer-like conditions were much needed and beneficial for crop progress. Cropland was given an opportunity to recover from the past month of rainfall, although many fields still have ponding issues. As fields were drying, areas of yellow crops began to get smaller and farmers were once again able to continue with fieldwork. Operators focused on spraying herbicides in soybean fields and harvesting their second cutting of alfalfa. Producers suffering crop losses due to excess moisture and flooding re-planted sections, as days are running out to get a crop in the ground.

Crop conditions were aided by dry days and mostly sunny weather, but conditions are still extremely variable. Inconsistent growth has been caused by excess moisture and possible nitrogen deficiency. Many fields have sections with crop loss and farmers will probably not have an opportunity to re-plant. Corn has begun to silk, and areas not affected by flooding look very good. However, producers are becoming concerned with the root penetration. Pastures are still providing adequate grazing as growth continues due to adequate supplies of moisture.

There were 3.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, compared with 4.6 days the previous week. Southeast Iowa reported the lowest number of days suitable, with 1.9 days, and Northwest Iowa reported the high, with 4.6 days. Topsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 42 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 55 percent adequate, and 45 percent surplus.

Field Crops Report: Corn reached 47 percent tasseled and 24 percent has silked, both well ahead of last year and the five-year averages. Corn rated 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 51 percent good, and 20 percent excellent. Forty-six percent of the soybean crop has begun blooming, compared to 37 percent last year and 47 percent for the five-year average. Although soybean acres have begun to set pods, a few areas in the southern third of Iowa have yet to be planted. Soybean condition rated 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 17 percent excellent. Seventy-six percent of the oat acreage has turned color, ahead of last year’s 61 percent and the five-year average of 69 percent. Six percent of the oats have been harvested for grain, 3 days ahead of last year and equal to the five-year average. Oat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 18 percent excellent. Nearly all of the first cutting of alfalfa hay has been harvested, and 47 percent of the second cutting has been completed, ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Hay harvest in the southern third of Iowa is well behind the state. All hay condition rated 3 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 14 percent excellent.

Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Pasture and range condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 55 percent good, and 21 percent excellent. Continued rainfall has helped keep pastures productive. Livestock continues to do well even with the hot humid weather, but reports of flies bothering cattle are becoming common.