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Heat, lack of moisture stress Iowa crops

Iowa weather ranged this past week from almost no precipitation to heavy rain and isolated hail. Heat and lack of moisture stressed crops and is causing corn leaves to curl.  Topsoil moisture is 71 percent adequate to surplus. South central and southeast Iowa have the least topsoil moisture with about two-thirds of it rated very short or short.

There are reports of corn in the silking stage this week with 79 percent of the crop rated good to excellent. Soybeans are 5 percent in the bloom with the crop 77 percent good to excellent. Oats are 90 percent headed, 5 days ahead of normal. Oats are 81 percent good to excellent.

The second cutting of alfalfa is 24 percent complete, almost a week ahead of average and hay is 75 percent good to excellent.  Iowa pastures are 68 percent good to excellent.