As drought conditions continue to spread across the state, producers are seeing the crop ratings drop from the mid-eightieth percentile to the low seventies. The Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending Aug. 2 shows corn and soybean conditions falling to 73 percent good to excellent as topsoil moisture in Iowa is averaging 14 percent very short and 33 percent short. Northwest, west central and central Iowa are all reporting topsoil moisture supplies in the short to very short categories. ‘While spotty thunderstorms brought much needed rainfall to parts of the western Iowa drought region, other areas were not as fortunate and drought conditions persist,” says Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig. “As we begin August, cooler temperatures and chances of thunderstorms are expected over the short-term, which would be beneficial to moisture-stressed corn and soybeans.” Corn silking or beyond reached 95 percent, two weeks ahead of last year and five days ahead of the five-year average. Corn in the dough stage or beyond reached 44 percent, which is 10 days ahead of last year and four days ahead of the average. Soybean blooming is at 91 percent, two weeks ahead of last year and six days ahead of average, while pod setting is now at 70 percent, 16 days ahead of last year and six days ahead of the five-year average. The full report can be found at nass.usda.gov/ia.
