Northwest Iowa received some of the state’s heaviest rainfall during the final full week of August as warmer-than-normal conditions helped push corn and soybean development.
The weekly Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report says Rock Rapids recorded 1.40 inches of rain from August 24 through August 30, the highest total reported anywhere in Iowa. Of that amount, 1.30 inches fell as showers and thunderstorms moved through northwest Iowa on Saturday.
The report’s precipitation map indicates much of northwest Iowa received approximately three-tenths to three-quarters of an inch during the week. Localized areas in or near Lyon and Sioux counties approached or exceeded one inch.
Despite the heavier totals in northwest Iowa, rainfall remained limited statewide. Iowa averaged 0.32 inch for the week, compared with a normal weekly total of 0.91 inch.
Northwest Iowa Warmer Than Normal
The report’s temperature map shows most of northwest Iowa averaged approximately two to four degrees warmer than normal. Portions of the far northwestern corner were four to six degrees above normal, making western Iowa the warmest part of the state relative to historical averages.
However, the region also recorded Iowa’s lowest temperature of the week. Lake Park in Dickinson County dropped to 47 degrees on August 24, which was 12 degrees below normal.
Statewide temperatures averaged 70.1 degrees, eight-tenths of a degree above normal. Conditions were generally seasonal through much of the week before showers and thunderstorms returned to northwest Iowa Saturday morning.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said additional heat is expected to keep crops moving toward maturity.
“Late summer heat along with scattered showers and thunderstorms returned to much of Iowa over the weekend and will stick around this week, with temperatures climbing into the 90s,” Naig said. “The warm weather will continue to push crop development as we close out August and head into September.”
Corn and Soybean Conditions Remain Strong
Farmers had 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, two-tenths of a day fewer than during the same period last year.
Ninety-four percent of Iowa’s corn had reached the dough stage, three percentage points ahead of last year. Sixty-eight percent had reached the dent stage, eight points ahead of last year, while six percent had reached maturity, two points behind last year.
Corn condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent.
Soybeans setting pods reached 93 percent, one percentage point behind last year. One percent of the crop was dropping leaves, two points behind last year. Soybean condition was also rated 77 percent good to excellent.
Topsoil moisture was rated 67 percent adequate and six percent surplus. Twenty-four percent was short, and three percent was very short. Subsoil moisture received the same combined short and very short rating of 27 percent.
The oat harvest reached 98 percent completion, while Iowa pastures were rated 65 percent good to excellent.
