It was a tale of two cities in this week’s U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, as some areas of the state saw heavy rain while others saw none. Iowa farmers had 3.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 23, with activities limited in some regions due to the wet conditions. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Northwest Iowa is experiencing historic flooding not seen since 1993. While the forecast is showing a reprieve from additional rainfall, those downstream need to be prepared as this water heads south. Our hearts go out to all the Iowans affected by this devastating flooding. We do not yet know the full picture of damage to homes, businesses, farms, crops, livestock, communities, and public infrastructure, but we know that it is likely to be substantial and costly.” Corn emergence neared completion in this week’s report, with conditions rated 77 percent good to excellent. Soybean emergence measured 95 percent, with seven percent of the crop blooming, a day behind last year but two days ahead of the five-year average. Soybean conditions rated 74 percent good to excellent. Topsoil moisture rated nine percent short to very short, 74 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus, while subsoil moisture measured 12 percent short to very short, 71 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus. Northwest Iowa recorded more than 50 percent of the surplus area reported in the state. The complete Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report is available online at nass.usda.gov.
