News

Dryness continues in Iowa

It was a good week for fieldwork, but not so great for growing Iowa’s crops.  USDA reporters say it remains abnormally dry for a third straight week across most of the state, with 29% of the topsoil short on moisture and another 7% very short.

Ninety-two percent of Iowa’s corn has begun to silk and 41% has reached the dough stage.  One percent of the corn has dented.  Overall, 65% of the state’s corn is rated good to excellent.

Eighty-seven percent of the soybeans have begun to bloom and 56% of them are setting pods.  Sixty-three percent of Iowa’s soybeans are in good to excellent condition.

The second cutting of alfalfa is 92% finished.  Pasture conditions declined for a sixth straight week because of dry weather with less than half in good to excellent condition.

Eighty-nine percent of Iowa’s oats are now harvested.