Iowa crop conditions are holding steady

Dry conditions and warming temperatures meant farmers had 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 6, 2021 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. In addition to planting, field activities included spraying post emergence herbicides, side dressing nitrogen, baling cover crops and harvesting hay. Topsoil moisture levels rated 7% very short, 32% short, 59% adequate and 2% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 12% very short, 34% short, 53% adequate and 1% surplus. Subsoil mosture conditions in northwest, west central, central and south central Iowa were rated over 50% short to very short.

Some producers in the upper two-thirds of the State re-planted corn and soybeans due to frost damage that occurred in late May. Corn emergence reached 96%, 9 days ahead of the 5-year average. Iowa’s corn condition rated 77% good to excellent. At 98%, nearly all of Iowa’s soybean crop has been planted, almost 2 weeks ahead of normal. Statewide, soybeans emerged reached 86%, 9 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean emergence in southeast Iowa is slightly behind with over one-quarter of the soybean crop yet to emerge. Soybean condition rated 73% good to excellent.

Oats headed reached 37%, 4 days ahead of normal. Iowa’s oat condition rated 68% good to excellent. Iowa farmers took advantage of the week’s dry weather and completed 41% of the first cutting of alfalfa hay during the week ending June 6 to reach 58% complete, 2 days ahead of normal. Hay condition rated 62% good to excellent.

Pasture condition rated 53% good to excellent. Some stress on livestock due to high temperatures was reported.


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