Progress for the 2024 Iowa corn and soybean crop is making headway but remains a few days behind the average for the state, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. Iowa farmers had 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 14, which included harvesting oats for grain, cutting and baling hay, and applying fungicides. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Although the first half of July was cooler and wetter than average, Iowa’s tasseling corn encountered some summer heat and humidity this past weekend. Monday’s thunderstorms will give way to more seasonal conditions and cooler temperatures. This will be welcome news for our state’s livestock as well as those participating in county fairs around the state.” Corn conditions measured 74 percent good to excellent, while soybeans measured 72 percent good to excellent. Corn silking or beyond was at 44 percent, a day ahead of last year but three days behind the five-year average. Corn in the dough stage reached six percent, five days ahead of average. Fifty percent of soybeans are now blooming, three days behind last year, and 12 percent were setting pods, one day behind last year but even with the five-year average. Topsoil moisture conditions rated six percent short, 84 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus, while subsoil conditions were nine percent short to very short, 82 percent adequate, and nine percent surplus. The full report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
