DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey commented Monday on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.
“Unfortunately, the heavy rains that rolled through Northeast Iowa last week caused significant flooding and continue to create challenges for farmers and communities. But, in general crops continue to move towards maturity and remain in pretty good condition with 83 percent of corn and 82 percent of beans rated good to excellent,” Northey said.
Above normal precipitation resulted in just 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork across Iowa during the week ending Aug. 28, 2016. Activities for the week included chopping corn for silage and planting cover crops. Producers continued to cut hay when conditions were dry enough.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus. Ponding and flooding of some fields were reported in the northern two-thirds of Iowa.
Ninety-four percent of the corn crop reached the dough stage or beyond, 8 days ahead of the five-year average, with sixty-five percent dented or beyond, five days ahead of both last year and normal. Corn was starting to mature, most notably in the southern third of the State. Corn condition rated 83 percent good to excellent despite some reports of crop damage from heavy rain and wind during the week. Soybeans setting pods reached 96 percent, four days ahead of last year. Thirteen percent of soybeans have started to turn color, three days ahead of last year’s pace. Soybean condition rated 82 percent good to excellent, although there were reports of sudden death and white mold in some soybean fields. Oats harvested for grain or seed was virtually complete.
Pasture condition rated 64 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were normal although higher insect numbers and muddy feedlots were reported in some areas of the State.