Temperatures down last week, dry weather persists

DES MOINES — Another dry, but relatively cool week left Iowa farmers with 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 23, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting hay and harvesting oats. Some reports were received of farmers applying insecticides and fungicides. Persistent dry weather has raised concerns regarding crop conditions.

“The statewide average temperature was 69.3 degrees, 5.5 degrees below normal,” State Climatologist Justin Glisan said in the latest Crop Progress & Condition report. “The southwest corner of Iowa experienced three days of widespread and near-normal rainfall with much of north-central and east-central Iowa reporting departures of an inch or more below average.”

Topsoil moisture condition rated 13 percent very short, 42 percent short, 43 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 17 percent very short, 46 percent short, 36 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn silking hit 79 percent this week, six days ahead of last year and three days ahead of normal. Nineteen percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage, five days ahead of last year and four days ahead of the 5-year average. Some reports were received of corn starting to dent. Corn condition rated 63 percent good to excellent. Eighty-one percent of soybeans were blooming, one week ahead of last year and five days ahead of the average. Soybeans setting pods reached 35 percent, two days ahead of last year and one day ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean condition remained steady at 58 percent good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of oats were turning color, 11 days ahead of last year and four days ahead of normal. Oats harvested for grain reached 36 percent, one day ahead of last year and one day ahead the five-year average. Oat condition remained 51 percent good to excellent.

The State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 86 percent complete, six days ahead of both last year and the average. The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 20 percent complete, 12 days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the 5-year average. Hay condition dropped to 37 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition fell to 24 percent good to excellent. Pasture and hay growth remain slow and below average, resulting in supplemental feeding of livestock.