Iowa farmers faced another challenging week of weather, with heavy rainfall limiting fieldwork and causing flooding in parts of the state.
According to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers had just 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 5.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says parts of central Iowa were hit especially hard late last week, receiving 8 to 11 inches of rain in just 36 hours. The flooding has damaged fields, flooded basements, swollen rivers and streams, and impacted roads and other infrastructure. Naig says his thoughts are with the Iowans and communities working to recover.
While central Iowa dealt with flooding, the rainfall brought welcome relief to drought-stricken areas of northwest and north-central Iowa. Additional thunderstorms are expected through midweek before warmer and drier weather returns later this month.
Despite the wet conditions, Iowa’s crops remain in good shape. Corn is rated 78 percent good to excellent, with 8 percent of the crop now silking. Soybeans are 74 percent good to excellent, with 37 percent blooming and 3 percent setting pods. Oats continue to perform well, with 82 percent rated good to excellent, while pasture conditions are rated 73 percent good to excellent.
Topsoil moisture across the state is reported as 71 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus, reflecting the widespread rainfall received over the past week.