Widespread precipitation across the state last week held off major declines in crop quality in the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Crop Progress and Condition Report. Farmers had 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork on average for the week ending July 9, but the figure was much lower for western Iowa as much-needed rain fell throughout the region. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Widespread showers and thunderstorms, along with unseasonably cool temperatures, brought relief to farmers and moisture-stressed crops across Iowa last week. As corn tassels continue to emerge, thunderstorms remain in the forecast over the next several days along with near-seasonal temperatures.” Topsoil moisture conditions rated 57 percent short to very short, 42 percent adequate, and one percent surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 64 percent short to very short, 35 percent adequate, and one percent surplus. Corn silking reached 22 percent, six days ahead of last year and two days ahead of the five-year average. USDA did receive some scattered reports of corn beginning to dough. Corn conditions held steady at 61 percent good to excellent. In soybeans, nearly half the crop was blooming, five days ahead of last year and a day ahead of normal, and soybeans setting pods reached seven percent. Soybean conditions were mostly unchanged at 52 percent good to excellent. The full USDA report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
