Iowa farmers dealt with another week of active weather, but the state’s crops continue to show strong condition ratings.
According to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers had four-and-a-half days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 21st. Strong storms moved through central and southeast Iowa last Wednesday, bringing damaging winds that caused scattered property and crop damage. The week ended with widespread rainfall across much of the state.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says while the rain helped replenish soil moisture, crops would now benefit from sunshine and warmer temperatures as the growing season enters a critical stage. Cooler weather is expected through the end of the week, with warmer conditions likely returning closer to the Fourth of July.
The report shows topsoil moisture is rated 82 percent adequate to surplus, while subsoil moisture is 77 percent adequate to surplus.
Nearly all of Iowa’s corn and soybean crops have now emerged. Corn is rated 77 percent good to excellent, while soybeans are rated 74 percent good to excellent. Soybean blooming reached three percent, trailing last year’s pace. Oats continue to perform well, with 83 percent rated good to excellent, and pasture conditions are also strong at 75 percent good to excellent.
The USDA releases updated crop progress reports each week through November.