News

Iowa has crop trouble spots

Iowa’s overall corn and soybean ratings are fairly strong again this week, but the weekly crop progress report notes some trouble spots. Flood-related nutrient loss and crop damage are a concern in the northern two-thirds of the state, while drought conditions persist in south-central and southeast Iowa.

Corn rates 78 percent good to excellent. Sixty-eight percent of the crop has silked, nine days ahead of average. Soybeans rate 75 percent good to excellent with 21 percent setting pods, six days head of average.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 72 percent complete, eight days ahead of average. Hay conditions rated 71 percent good to excellent. Pasture conditions declined slightly to 62 percent good to excellent.