Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented today on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November.
“An early July derecho raced along a path from northwestern South Dakota through northern Iowa early last week, producing swaths of lodged and flattened corn as well as some structural wind damage,” said Secretary Naig. “Several waves of rainfall also brought widespread relief to drier parts of the state as corn tassels begin to emerge.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop Report
Most of the state received rain along with warmer temperatures, resulting in 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 10, 2022, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. A derecho blew through northern Iowa on Tuesday, causing some crop damage. Fieldwork included wrapping up the first cutting of alfalfa and working on the second.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 19 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 22 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.
Corn silking was at 7 percent, 4 days behind last year and 5 days behind average. Corn condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Thirty-four percent of soybeans were blooming or beyond, 1 week behind last year and 2 days behind average. Three percent of the soybean crop was setting pods, 10 days behind last year and 5 days behind the 5-year average. Iowa’s soybean condition rating was 79 percent good to excellent. Ninety-five percent of the oat crop was headed or beyond, 4 days behind last year. Forty-eight percent of oats were turning color, 6 days behind last year. Oat harvest for grain has begun at 2 percent, 1 week behind last year. Iowa’s oat condition was 80 percent good to excellent.
Thirty-five percent of the State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay was complete. All Hay condition rated 70 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 59 percent good to excellent. Pasture and hay improved with widespread rain. Livestock were stressed due to above average heat and humidity with reports of pinkeye in cattle.