Northwest Iowa — Northwest Iowa crop conditions continue to be impacted by the drought.
The latest USDA crop report shows that 73 percent of Iowa’s corn crop is in good to excellent condition. That’s a three percent drop from one week ago. The condition of the soybean crop declined to show 71 percent good to excellent — which is down two percent from last week. Weekend rains were sporadic and are not expected to do much to help most crops.
Iowa corn production is forecast at 2.51 billion bushels, down 2 percent from the previous year, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. Based on conditions as of August 1, yields are expected to average 205.0 bushels per acre, unchanged from last year. Corn planted acreage is estimated at 12.7 million acres. An estimated 12.3 million of the acres planted will be harvested for grain.
Soybean production is forecast at 593 million bushels, down 5 percent from the previous year. The yield is forecast at 58.0 bushels per acre, 4.0 bushels lower than 2021. Soybean planted acreage is estimated at 10.3 million acres with 10.2 million acres to be harvested.
The latest crop report says that in our area, 97 percent of corn was silking, with 44 percent in the dough stage and one percent dented. The report shows 95 percent of soybeans were blooming, with 86 percent setting pods. We’re pretty close to the rest of the state on corn, and a little ahead of the curve for soybeans.
Moisture-wise, topsoil moisture in northwest Iowa is 31 percent very short, 29 percent short, 38 percent adequate, and two percent surplus. Under the ground it’s a similar situation with 33 percent of subsoil moisture in the very short category, 35 percent short, 31 percent adequate, and one percent surplus. We are much drier up here than the averages for the state.
The latest map from the US Drought Monitor does show some shrinking back of the extreme drought (D3). Last week the entire southern third of Sioux County and a corner of O’Brien County were in that category. Now, just a sliver of Sioux County in the southwest is in that situation. But areas of severe (D2) and moderate (D1) drought as well as areas where it is only abnormally dry exist in our area. In fact, as of this week’s report, none of Osceola County was marked as under any moisture stress whatsoever. The northeast third of Lyon County is in the same situation.
