Lack of rain causes concern

DES MOINES ? Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said the lack of rainfall in the state is a concern because, while crops remain in fairly good condition, more moistue is needed for it to develop.

According to the Iowa Crops and Weather report released Monday by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service, warm, dry conditions are beginning to stress Iowa row crops. Although crops continue to be rated mostly good to excellent, crop conditions declined slightly for the third straight week. The week?s activities included spraying crops and cutting hay, with some farmers starting their second cutting.

There were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, compared to 5.2 days the previous week.

Topsoil moisture levels dropped to 26 percent very short, 40 percent short, 34 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. South Central Iowa is the driest with 97 percent of the topsoil moisture rated short to very short. Subsoil moisture also decreased and is now rated 20 percent very short, 39 percent short, 41 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus.

There are scattered reports of corn silking, primarily in the eastern part of the state. Corn condition is reported at 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 52 percent good and 15 percent excellent. Ninety-four percent of the soybean crop has emerged, ahead of last year?s 88 percent and the five-year average of 84 percent. Soybean condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 52 percent good and 10 percent excellent.

Eighty-six percent of the oat crop has headed, almost three weeks ahead of normal. Oat condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 54 percent good and 12 percent excellent.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay, at 97 percent complete, is well ahead of last year?s 56 percent and five-year average of 46 percent. The second cutting of alfalfa hay is under way in each district of the state. Hay condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 51 percent good and 9 percent excellent.

For the first time this year, less than half of Iowa?s pasture and range land is rated good to excellent. Pasture and range condition rated 5 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 40 percent good and 5 percent excellent. The warmer weather caused little if any stress to livestock as no issues were reported for the week.

The weekly report is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship?s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.