DES MOINES, Iowa – Frost was reported across much of the state last week, though its damaging effects were minimal, according to the latest Iowa crop progress report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Iowa’s corn crop, though rated 76 percent good to excellent, is still 11 days behind normal in terms of maturity. 83 percent of the total crop is in or past the dent stage, which directly precedes physiological maturity, but that figure is fully 4 days behind normal, according to NASS.
Soybeans aren’t much better; while 74 percent of soybeans are rated good to excellent, only 51 percent of soybean leaves are turning color, which is 4 days behind average.
In responding to the report, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey said he expects the maturity problem to correct itself.
“Heavy rains continued to roll across the state,” observed Northey, “which limited any field work and the cool temperatures slowed crop development. Fortunately most of the state avoided a killing frost and warmer temperatures this week will help crops continue to mature.”
Due to heavy rains, fieldwork packed into the 2.6 days suitable included chopping silage, harvesting hay and seeding cover crops.
