According to this week’s U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, the extended spell of hotter-than-normal June temperatures did not significantly impact corn and soybean ratings. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “The long stretch of hot days finally ended late last week as a shift in the weather pattern moderated temperatures over the weekend. In the presence of below-normal rainfall and warmer-than-average conditions, drought expanded in northwest Iowa, where precipitation deficits have persisted for almost two years. Short-term outlooks into July show better chances of wetter conditions, which would be beneficial as we reach a critical stage in crop development.” Producers had an average of 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 26, with spraying and hay cutting being the primary activities. Corn condition ratings were down three percentage points from last week to 80 percent good to excellent. Soybean ratings were unchanged from last week’s rating of 80 percent good to excellent. Soybean emergence reached 97 percent, four days behind last year but three days ahead of the five-year average. An estimated two percent of the crop has started to bloom, about a week behind average. The state’s first alfalfa hay cutting is nearing completion, and producers are already six percent into the season’s second cutting. Twenty-eight percent of topsoil moisture and 27 percent of subsoil moisture conditions were rated short to very short, with the driest areas in northwestern Iowa. The weekly USDA Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report can be found in its entirety by visiting www.nass.usda.gov.
