March 28, 2024

Most of state has adequate moisture, ag secretary says

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

“The last week has helped our crops progress and most of the state had adequate moisture for the crops to handle the heat. Unfortunately, some areas continue to be too wet or too dry and these conditions are stressing the crop. The hay crop has been productive and we hope that continues,” Northey said.

The weekly report is also available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov or on USDA's site at www.nass.usda.gov/ia.

Iowa experienced highly variable weather conditions ranging from almost no precipitation to heavy rain and isolated hail during the week ending June 26, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Statewide there were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included cutting hay, herbicide and fungicide applications, and some hauling of grain. Heat and lack of moisture stressed some crops, causing corn leaves to curl.

Topsoil moisture levels declined to 8 percent very short, 21 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels also fell to 3 percent very short, 17 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. South central and southeast Iowa reported the lowest topsoil moisture levels with approximately two-thirds of topsoil moisture rated very short or short.

There were scattered reports of corn reaching the silking stage this week. Seventy-nine percent of the corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition. Soybeans blooming reached 5 percent, equal to both last year and the five-year average. Soybean condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Oats headed reached 90 percent this week, two days ahead of last year, and five days ahead of normal. Oats coloring reached 22 percent, four days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated 81 percent good to excellent.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 24 percent complete, almost one week ahead of average. Hay conditions rated 75 percent good to excellent this week. Pasture condition rated 68 percent good to excellent. Livestock were reported as experiencing some stress as a result of heat and insects.