Naig Highlights Crop Progress Amid Shifting Weather Conditions Across Iowa For Week of June 2nd – June 8th

Naig Highlights Crop Progress Amid Shifting Weather Conditions Across Iowa

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig offered comments today following the release of the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, published weekly by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The report provides vital updates for producers and stakeholders throughout the growing season from April through November.

“While the highest rainfall totals were concentrated in western Iowa over the past week, much of the state received some rain and cooler temperatures,” Secretary Naig noted. “The crops could use some heat, and it looks like it’s on the way. The warmer weather and possible showers in the forecast this week should give the corn and soybeans a lift.”

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship also issues a weather summary alongside each weekly crop report, providing context on how conditions are influencing field progress and plant development.

According to the report for the week ending June 8, Iowa farmers had an average of 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Key field activities included hay cutting and crop spraying.

Crop and Soil Conditions:

  • Topsoil moisture: 4% very short, 21% short, 71% adequate, 4% surplus

  • Subsoil moisture: 5% very short, 28% short, 64% adequate, 3% surplus

Corn Progress:

  • Emerged: 92% (4 days ahead of 2024, 2 days behind the 5-year average)

  • Condition: 85% rated good to excellent (up 1 percentage point from last week)

Soybean Progress:

  • Planted: 97% of expected acres

  • Emerged: 88% (10 days ahead of 2024, 4 days ahead of average)

  • Condition: 80% rated good to excellent (down 1 percentage point from last week)

Small Grains and Forage:

  • Oats: Emergence nearly complete, with 53% headed and 10% turning color

  • Oat Condition: 84% rated good to excellent

  • Alfalfa Hay: 77% of first cutting completed, with some second cutting reported

  • Hay Condition: 82% good to excellent

  • Pasture Condition: 70% good to excellent (slight decrease from last week)

The weekly report, along with weather summaries and additional agricultural data, is available online at nass.usda.gov.