News

Iowa’s crops benefit from rain

Timely and beneficial rains fell across much of Iowa late last week, further improving prospects for the state’s corn and soybean crops.

“The continued pattern of rain showers and storms moving across the state means crops generally have plenty of moisture, which is not usually the case in late July,” said Iowa secretary of agriculture Bill Northey.  “While there are certainly areas that have seen some crop damage due to the weather, in general both corn and beans are in good condition across much of the state.”

Corn condition rated 83 percent good to excellent with soybeans at 76 percent. Eighty-three percent of the corn crop had reached the silking stage, with 11 percent in the dough stage. Thirty-seven percent of soybeans were setting pods.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 68 percent and third cutting was just getting underway. Hay condition rated 68 percent good to excellent, with pasture condition at 77 percent.

Fifty-seven percent of the oat crop has been harvested for grain or seed, five days ahead of last year. The oat crop rating increased to 81 percent good to excellent.