USDA: heat, humidity stressing statewide ag

DES MOINES — Hot and humid weather with well below-normal precipitation throughout Iowa gave farmers 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 27, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities included cutting and baling hay as well as harvesting oats.

Persistent dry weather has put continued stress on crops, especially soybeans with multiple reports of disease entering fields.

“Iowans experienced the warmest reporting period of the growing season as an expansive heat dome set up over the Midwest,” State Climatologist Justin Glisan said in the latest Crop Progress & Condition report. “Stations across the state observed triple-digit air temperatures and dew points in the upper 70s and low 80s, creating oppressive heat index values; the statewide average temperature was 80.0 degrees, 10.1 degrees above normal. Unseasonably dry conditions persisted under the stable weather pattern with stations in west-central and Eastern Iowa not receiving measurable rain totals.”

Topsoil moisture condition rated 23 percent very short, 45 percent short, 31 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 28 percent very short, 45 percent short, 26 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Corn in or beyond the dough stage reached 96 percent this week, eight days ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the five-year average. Sixty-two percent of the corn crop was dented or beyond, five days ahead of last year and four days ahead of normal. Six percent of the State’s corn crop has reached maturity. Corn condition declined 6 percentage points to 54 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans setting pods reached 97 percent, one week ahead of last year and nine days ahead of the average. Soybeans turning color was 15 percent this week, two days ahead of normal. Reports of soybeans dropping their leaves were received this week. Soybean condition dropped 6 percentage points to 53 percent good to excellent.

Oats harvested for grain is nearly complete.

The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 90 percent complete, 18 days ahead of last year and 17 days ahead of the average.

Pasture condition rated 23 percent good to excellent. The hot and humid weather severely stressed livestock across the State this week, with several reports of death loss.