Crops well ahead of five-year average

DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through November.

“Northern Iowa is dealing with the aftermath of the heavy rains and flooding that impacted many areas over the past month while parts of southern Iowa continue to face drought conditions. Crop development continues to be well ahead of the five-year average, with corn nine days and soybeans six days ahead of normal,” Naig 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. The report summary follows here:

Crop Report

Iowa farmers had 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 15, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. This was the greatest number of days suitable so far this crop year. Activities for the week included harvesting hay, scouting crops, and both ground and aerial herbicide and fungicide applications.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 3 percent very short, 11 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 4 percent very short, 12 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus. In the northern two-thirds of the State flood-related nutrient loss and crop damage are a concern while drought conditions in south central and southeast Iowa persist.

Sixty-eight percent of the corn crop has silked, one week ahead of last year and nine days ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Sixty-five percent of the soybean crop was blooming, with 21 percent of the soybean crop setting pods, five days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the average. Soybean condition rated 75 percent good to excellent. Seventy-three percent of the oat crop was turning color or beyond, with 18 percent of the crop harvested for grain. Oat condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 72 percent complete, 8 days ahead of average. Dry conditions allowed hay growers to continue harvesting. Hay conditions rated 71 percent good to excellent. Pasture conditions declined slightly to 62 percent good to excellent. Heat and high humidity continued to stress livestock.

Weather Summary

By Dr. Justin Glisan, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Rain showers in northern Iowa started a warm and relatively dry week. Much of Iowa saw below average rainfall for the reporting period. Only the northeast and northwest corners of the state recorded higher than average rainfall, anywhere from 0.5 to 1.5 inches above normal. Statewide average temperatures were three to six degrees warmer than average. Southern Iowa saw the warmest conditions, with temperatures eight degrees above average by week’s end; average highs pushed into the mid-90s. A fast-moving system brought isolated severe thunderstorms from Milford (Dickinson County) to Laurens (Pocahontas County) during the late morning hours on Tuesday (10th); there were a few reports of snapped tree branches and nickel-sized hail. The line quickly dissipated as it moved into central Iowa. Wednesday (11th) into Thursday (12th) saw hot and dry conditions, with only a few stations reporting measurable rainfall. Lamoni (Decatur County) observed the warmest temperature of the week at 101 degrees, 15 degrees above average. Thunderstorms propagated into northern Iowa late Thursday in advance of a low-pressure system that moved across Iowa on Friday, the 13th, bringing widespread measurable rainfall. Monticello, in Jones County, observed the week’s highest accumulation of 3.94 inches; Bloomfield (Davis County) reported 2.75 inches. Over 30 stations reported accumulations over one inch. Severe hail and high winds were observed from Shenandoah to Clinton in the east, and north to Decorah, with multiple trees and power lines downed. The weekend was generally quiet, with lingering thunderstorms across eastern Iowa on Saturday (14th). That evening, isolated thunderstorms popped up in extreme southeast Iowa, dropping 0.74 inches of rain on Keokuk (Lee County). Sunday (15th) was a warm and humid day across Iowa with highs in the low-to-mid 80s, accompanied by heat indices in the mid-90s and a few isolated thunderstorms.