Warm weather with variable precipitation helped crop development across the State during the week ending June 3, 2018, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Statewide there were 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included cutting and baling hay, planting and spraying. Topsoil moisture levels rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus. Although south central Iowa subsoil moisture supplies improved slightly, over seventy percent remains short to very short. Statistician Ben Torrenz goes through more of the numbers here:
Nearly all of the corn crop has been planted, with 91 percent of the crop emerged. Eighty-one percent of the corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition. Soybean growers have 93 percent of the expected crop planted, 12 days ahead of the 5-year average. Seventy-two percent of soybeans have emerged, 4 days ahead of last year. The first soybean condition rating of the season came in at 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 63 percent good, and 17 percent excellent.
Ninety-eight percent of the expected oat crop has emerged, with 19 percent headed, equal to the average. Eighty-two percent of the oat crop was rated in good to excellent condition. Hay conditions improved to 69 percent rated good to excellent.
Pasture conditions also improved to 63 percent rated good to excellent. Warm temperatures and periods of rain continue to fuel pasture and hay development. Above normal temperatures caused stress for cattle.