Crop conditions improving

DES MOINES — Cool and dry weather throughout the state led to 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 20, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting and baling hay as well as harvesting oats. Continued dry weather meant Conservation Reserve Program land was opened for emergency haying and grazing.

“As the Iowa State Fair came to a close over the weekend, air and dew point temperatures began an upward climb,” State Climatologist said in the latest Crop Progress & Condition Report. “However, unseasonably cool conditions persisted through the reporting period with an average temperature of 68.5 degrees, 3.6 degrees below normal. Apart from a handful of stations in Eastern Iowa, unseasonably dry conditions were reported statewide.”

Topsoil moisture condition rated 15 percent very short, 38 percent short, 46 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 19 percent very short, 44 percent short, 36 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn in the dough stage reached 92 percent this week, eight days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the five-year average. Thirty-nine percent of the corn crop was dented, four days ahead of last year and three days ahead of normal. Corn condition rated 60 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans setting pods reached 94 percent, one week ahead of both last year and the average. Soybeans starting to turn color was 4 percent this week. Soybean condition rated 59 percent good to excellent

Oats harvested for grain reached 98 percent, one week ahead of the average. The state’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 82 percent complete, 19 days ahead of last year and 16 days ahead of the five-year average.

Pasture condition rated 23 percent good to excellent. Livestock producers continued to supplement with hay due to the prolonged dry conditions, but overall livestock conditions were decent with the lower-than-average temperatures for the week.