March 19, 2024

Most crops in good condition despite rain

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey commented Monday on the Iowa Crops and Weather weekly report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.

“Unfortunately, strong storms continued to roll across the state, causing isolated damage and leaving fields very wet and drowning out some crops,” Northey said.  “Between the wet spots crops remain in pretty good condition, with 79 percent of corn and 75 percent of beans rated in good to excellent condition.”

Recurring precipitation continued to limit fieldwork in Iowa during the week ending June 29, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were just 2.2 days suitable for fieldwork. A few producers were able to do a little spraying and herbicide application between storms.

Precipitation raised soil moisture levels again this week. Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and 36 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 22 percent surplus.

There were isolated reports of corn silking. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 23 percent excellent. Six percent of the soybean acreage was blooming, 10 days ahead of the previous year but 2 days behind normal. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 18 percent excellent.

Pasture condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 21 percent excellent. Livestock conditions were reported as good except for dealing with increased insect pressure and flooded pastures and feedlots.