Corn and soybean conditions across the state dipped slightly over the last week as Iowa prepared for an extended heatwave as we move into August. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending July 31, producers had an average of 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork, with most farmers working on cutting and baling hay and applying pesticides. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “With a warm and dry July in the rearview mirror, Iowa is expected to experience some of the hottest days of summer this week. A lack of rainfall across much of the state has led to an expansion of drought condition with short-term outlooks indicating continued warmth and isolated chances of thunderstorms.” Increasingly dry conditions are becoming more of a concern for many producers as nearly 50 percent of topsoil moisture conditions and 46 percent of subsoil moisture conditions are now rated short to very short. Iowa’s corn crop is now rated 76 percent good to excellent, with 87 percent of plants silking or beyond, two days behind last year and the average. An estimated 30 percent of the crop reached the dough stage, three days behind 2021 but on track with the norm. Scattered reports show limited areas moving into the dent stage, six days behind last year and three behind the average. Iowa’s soybean crop rating dipped to 73 percent good to excellent, with 83 percent of plants blooming, a week behind last year and two days behind the five-year average, and 52 percent setting pods, six days behind last year but only a day behind average. The complete USDA Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report is available online at nass.usda.gov.
