Statewide there were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included harvesting hay, delivering grain, re-planting storm damaged fields and applying post-emergent herbicides.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 5 percent very short, 16 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus. While rain fell over much of the State, in south central Iowa the percentage rated very short for both topsoil and subsoil moisture levels increased over the past week.
With virtually all of the corn crop emerged, 84 percent was rated in good to excellent condition. Ninety-seven percent of the soybean crop has emerged, 2 weeks ahead of average. Eighty percent of the soybean crop was rated in good to excellent condition. Sixty-four percent of the oat crop has headed, 2 days ahead of average. Eighty-three percent of the oat crop was rated in good to excellent condition.
Hay condition improved to 73 percent good to excellent. Pasture conditions rated 64 percent good to excellent. Scorching temperatures and high humidity continued to stress livestock.