Hot, dry conditions and minimal rain allowed Iowa farmers 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 25th, according to the weekly Crop Progress and Conditions Report on Monday.
Monday?s report said the lack of precipitation is causing some stress on Iowa?s crops, especially in the northern third of the state. Corn silking or beyond reached 80%, equal to the 5-year average. Corn in the dough stage reached 21%, three days ahead of normal. Iowa?s corn condition was rated 65% good to excellent. There were scattered reports of corn in the dent stage.
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey has the latest details on development of the nation’s corn crop.
?Corn silking as of July 25th was at 79% for the U.S. crop,? said Rippey. ?That?s well ahead of the 5-year average of 73%, but equal to last year?s 79%. We have seen 69% of the U.S. corn reaching the silking stage or beyond over the last three weeks. As always, July is a critical month both in terms of temperatures and precipitation for Midwestern summer crops.?
Meanwhile, Rippey says the pace of the nation?s soybean crop development is ahead of schedule.
?On July 25th, over three quarters ? 76% ? were blooming or beyond,? said Rippey. ?That?s ahead of the 5-year average of 71% and also ahead of last year?s 74%. We have seen almost two thirds ? or 62% ? of the U.S. soybeans reaching the blooming stage in the last four weeks.?
In Iowa, 85% of soybeans were blooming, 6 days ahead of the five-year average. Over half of Iowa?s soybeans were setting pods, also 6 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition was rated 61% good to excellent.
Iowa?s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 83% complete. The third cutting was reported at 8% complete, equal to the 5-year average. Hay condition rated 60% good to excellent. Pasture condition was rated 44% good to excellent.
High temperatures and humidity are impacting livestock and some producers are still fighting pinkeye in cows and calves.
