Dry Conditions Taking Toll On Iowa Crops

(Undated) -- Dry conditions are taking a toll on Iowa's corn and soybean crops. This week's crop report shows corn rated 66-percent good-to-excellent, down seven percentage points from last week. The condition of the soybean crop is 63-percent good-to-excellent, 8-percentage points lower than last week. More than half of the topsoil moisture is considered short to very short in a large part of Iowa according to the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

“With the Iowa State Fair in full swing, a notable shift in the weather has brought cooler conditions statewide and rainfall to portions of western Iowa,” said Secretary Naig. “The weather outlook through the end of August shows moderating temperatures with additional chances of precipitation. Farmers should also see periods of drier conditions, which will allow for cover crop seeding.”

Topsoil moisture condition rated 24 percent very short, 29 percent short, 44 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. The shortage of moisture was evident with over half of the topsoil considered short to very short in the Northwest, West Central, Central, Southwest, South Central and Southeast Districts. Subsoil moisture condition rated 23 percent very short, 32 percent short, 43 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Corn silking or beyond was 96 percent, 6 days behind last year and 5 days behind the 5-year average. Seventy two percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage or beyond, 3 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of the average. Fifteen percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dent stage, 4 days behind last year and 1 day behind the 5-year average.

Ninety-four percent of soybeans were blooming, 12 days behind last year and 3 days behind average. Eighty percent of the soybean crop was setting pods, 8 days behind last year and 2 days behind the 5 year average. Soybeans began coloring at 1 percent, equal to last year and the 5-year average.

Photo: Iowa State University, photo from 2020


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