Iowa’s corn and soybean crops remain in mostly strong condition, but much of Northwest Iowa missed the heavier rainfall that fell elsewhere during the latest reporting week.
The USDA’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, released Monday, rates 80% of corn and 78% of soybeans in good-to-excellent condition. However, more than one-third of the state’s soil remains short on moisture.
Topsoil moisture was rated 9% very short and 27% short, while subsoil moisture was rated 7% very short and 28% short.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says he has generally seen strong crops during his recent travels around the state, but conditions vary because of wind, hail, excessive rainfall and persistent dryness.
“Many areas could certainly use a good rain,” Naig said.
Maps submitted by Iowa Dept of Agriculture
Strong Ratings, Mixed Development
Farmers had six days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 26. That was up from 3.6 days during the same week last year.
Corn silking reached 87%, six percentage points ahead of last year. 28% of the corn crop had reached the dough stage, four points behind last year.
Soybean blooming reached 80%, one point ahead of last year, while 48% of soybeans were setting pods, one point behind last year.
The oat harvest advanced to 67% complete, 20 percentage points ahead of last year. Oats were rated 82 percent good to excellent, while Iowa pastures were rated 65% good to excellent.
Northwest Iowa Misses Heavier Rain
Severe thunderstorms entered Northwest Iowa early July 20 before moving through central and eastern portions of the state. Additional supercells later produced large hail, strong winds, and two reported tornadoes in Hamilton County.
The heaviest rainfall was concentrated across central and south-central Iowa, along with portions of northeast Iowa. Much of Northwest Iowa remained dry.
Statewide precipitation averaged 0.99 of an inch for the week, slightly above the normal of 0.89 of an inch. Weekly totals ranged from no measurable rainfall at a few locations to 5.84 inches at Dallas Center.
Despite periods of heat and humidity, Iowa’s average temperature for the week was 72.2 degrees, 1.3 degrees below normal. Several locations reached 101 degrees on July 20, while Spencer Municipal Airport recorded the state’s weekly low of 45 degrees on July 23—18 degrees below normal.
