(KIWA Staff Photo)
Northwest Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Iowa’s corn and soybean crops remain in mostly strong condition, but much of northwest Iowa missed the heavier rainfall that fell elsewhere during the latest reporting week.
The USDA’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, released Monday, rates 80% of corn and 78% of soybeans in good-to-excellent condition. More than one-third of the state’s soils, however, remain short on moisture. Topsoil moisture was rated 9% very short and 27% short, while subsoil moisture was rated 7% very short and 28% short.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says he has generally seen strong crops during recent travels, but conditions vary because of wind, hail, excessive rainfall and persistent dryness. He says that many areas could use additional rain.
Strong Ratings, Mixed Development
Farmers had six days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 26th, up from 3.6 days during the same week last year.
Corn development continues to move forward:
- 87% of corn has reached silking, six points ahead of last year.
- 28% has reached the dough stage, four points behind last year.
Soybean progress remains steady:
- 80% of soybeans are blooming, one point ahead of last year.
- 48% are setting pods, one point behind last year.
The oat harvest reached 67% complete, 20 points ahead of last year. Oats were rated 82% good to excellent, while Iowa pastures were rated 65% good to excellent.
Northwest Iowa Misses Heavier Rain
Severe thunderstorms entered northwest Iowa early July 20th before moving through central and eastern parts of the state. Later supercells produced large hail, strong winds, and two reported tornadoes in Hamilton County.
The heaviest rainfall was concentrated across central, south-central, and portions of northeast Iowa, leaving much of northwest Iowa comparatively dry.
Statewide precipitation averaged 0.99 inches, slightly above the normal 0.89 inches. Weekly totals ranged from no measurable rainfall at a few locations to 5.84 inches at Dallas Center.
Despite periods of heat and humidity, Iowa’s average temperature for the week was 72.2 degrees, about 1.3 degrees below normal. Several locations reached 101 degrees on July 20th, while Spencer Municipal Airport recorded the weekly low of 45 degrees on July 23rd — 18 degrees below normal.
