Northwest Iowa — Although spotty rains left some areas waterlogged, one of the driest weeks Iowa has seen this season allowed 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork across the State of Iowa during the week ending September 4, 2016, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report says that, here in northwest Iowa, we had 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the same period. Activities for the week included chopping corn for silage, planting cover crops and cutting hay.
The report indicated topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 86 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus, statewide. Here in northwest Iowa, topsoil moisture was 0 percent very short, 11 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels statewide rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus, according to the report, while here in the northwest, subsoil moisture was rated 0 percent very short, 12 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus.
The report says ninety-seven percent of the state’s corn crop reached the dough stage or beyond, 8 days ahead of the five-year average, with 80 percent dented or beyond, 5 days ahead of both last year and normal, while in our area 96 percent of the corn reached the dough stage or beyond. Fourteen percent of corn had reached maturity statewide, 4 days ahead of last year, but 3 days behind normal, while only 78 percent of corn has reached maturity here in our area. Corn condition rated 83 percent good to excellent. Thirty-five percent of soybeans have started to turn color, 3 days ahead of last year’s pace, while the report indicates that twenty-three percent of soybeans in northwest Iowa are coloring. Five percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, one day ahead of normal, with three percent dropping leaves in our area. Soybean condition rated 82 percent good to excellent, despite reports of sudden death and white mold in scattered soybean fields.
For a look at the complete Iowa Crop Progress & Condition Report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, click here.
