Rain welcome, more wanted

Some much needed rainfall across western Iowa resulted in 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 6, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting and baling hay as well as applying pesticides and fungicides. Increased precipitation helped alleviate some crop stress, although conditions remain dry.

“Several western and southern Iowa stations reported a season’s worth of rainfall over the last week as an unseasonable wet pattern brought several waves of showers and thunderstorms through Iowa,” State Climatologist Justin Glisan said in the USDA’s weekly Crop Progress & Condition report for the Hawkeye state. “Eastern Iowa stations missed out on much of the rainfall with widespread deficits approaching an inch.”

Topsoil moisture condition rated 18 percent very short, 41 percent short, 40 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 19 percent very short, 47 percent short, 33 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn silking hit 97 percent this week. Fifty-eight percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage or beyond, three days ahead of both last year and the 5-year average. Sixteen percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage, nine days ahead of last year and one week ahead of normal. Corn condition remained steady at 59 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-six percent of soybeans were blooming. Soybeans setting pods reached 75 percent, five days ahead of last year and three days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean condition fell two percentage points to 53 percent good to excellent. Oats harvested for grain reached 80 percent.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 97 percent complete, one week ahead of last year and eight days ahead of the average. The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 51 percent complete, two weeks ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the 5-year average. Hay condition rated 36 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition rated just 22 percent good to excellent. Livestock producers continued to supplement with hay due to the prolonged dry conditions.