Iowa farmers were basically able to complete corn planting over the last week and now 97 percent has emerged, two weeks ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the five-year average. The corn conditions were rated at 85 percent good to excellent in the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Iowa Crop Progress and Conditions Report for the week ending Sunday, June 7. The state’s soybean crop is now at 97 percent complete, three weeks ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of average. Emergence is at 87 percent with soybeans rated 82 percent good to excellent. Drier weather allowed just over five days suitable for field work last week, with ideal conditions for hay cutting. “Above normal temperatures across much of the state last week allowed for rapid crop development,” says Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, “Some pockets of dryness are popping up across parts of Iowa. Those areas could see some relief this week as the remnants of Tropical Storm Cristobal brings chances of rain.” The full crop report can be found at www.nass.usda.gov/ia.
