USDA: Some Iowans start applying fungicide

DES MOINES — Some Iowa farmers have started applying fungicides, according to a list of field activities provided in the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending July 28, 2024.

Agronomy experts say gray leaf and tar spots, two fungal diseases that can threaten corn, grow more prevalent with high humidity. That puts the issue on a lot of minds as Iowans continue to face repeated rainfall events.

“Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms were observed almost every day of the reporting period,” said State Climatologist Justin Glisan in the USDA report, though he noted that the week was technically drier than average for the state. “Clouds spread over most of Iowa into Friday (26th) with very spotty, slow-moving thunderstorms in southeastern Iowa … with 2.13 inches in Keokuk (Lee County).”

According to the report, Southeast Iowa’s topsoil moisture conditions rated 0% very short, 19% short, 76% adequate and 5% surplus, compared to the statewide average of 1% very short, 12% short, 80% adequate and 7% surplus.

Subsoil moisture levels in Southeast Iowa were 1% very short, 25% short, 68% adequate and 6% surplus. Statewide conditions rated 2% very short, 11% short, 80% adequate and 7% surplus.

Crops seem to be growing well across the state. Southeast Iowa farmers reported 87% of corn silking and 31% of corn at the dough stage. For soybeans, the region showed 90% of the plants blooming. All of the above are ahead of the current statewide average, as well as the five-year average. Southeast Iowa showed 35% of soybeans setting pods, however, lagging slightly behind the statewide average of 43%.

Regional crop quality numbers were not included in the report, but the USDA said corn conditions rated 77% good to excellent, along with 76% of soybeans, 78% of hay, and 71% of pastures across the Hawkeye State. Some farmers reported heat livestock stress, according to the report.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com