Favorable conditions last week supported improvements to Iowa’s corn and soybean crop ratings according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Crop Progress and Condition Report. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Near-average temperatures and timely rainfall helped push along tasseling corn over the past week. As county fair season ramps up, outlooks show hot and dry conditions will develop over the next week as limited chances of rain will increase the likelihood of drought expansion in northwest Iowa.” Producers had, on average, 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending July 17, with most of the work centered on cutting hay and fungicide application. Corn silking surpassed 31 percent, about four days behind last year and the five-year average. There were scattered reports of corn beginning to reach the dough stage, with corn condition ratings at 81 percent good to excellent. Fifty-five percent of soybeans were blooming, six days behind last year and two days behind the average, with 13 percent of the crop setting pods. Soybean ratings came in at 78 percent good to excellent. Drought conditions in the state were mostly unchanged, with 30 percent of topsoil moisture conditions and 31 percent of subsoil moisture conditions rated short to very short. The complete Iowa Crop Progress and Conditions Report can be found online at www.nass.usda.gov.
