Crop report shows positives for north-central Iowa

DES MOINES — The latest crop report shows positive things for north-central Iowa and the entire state.

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Iowa office statistician Hunter Blum says farmers almost had a full week of weather suitable for them to get into the field.  “Iowa experienced cooler temperatures and dry conditions across most of the state. Those conditions allowed Iowa farmers 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 8th. Field activities included cutting hay and chopping silage. The state’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 93%, eight days behind last year but one week ahead of the five-year average. Pasture conditions rated 63% good to excellent.” Here in the north-central crop reporting district, there were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork with 91% of the third cutting of alfalfa completed.

Blum says corn is slightly behind in the growing season when compared to the last five years.  “Corn in the dough stage or beyond reached 96% this week. 74% of the corn crop reached the dent stage or beyond, six days behind last year and two days behind the five-year average. Corn maturity reached 20%, four days behind last year and one day behind the average. Corn condition was rated 77% good to excellent.”) Here in the north-central district, 99% of corn is in the dough stage, 74% has dented, with 14% mature.

Blum says soybeans are also still slightly behind the average.  “Soybeans setting pods reached 97%. Soybeans coloring or beyond reached 42%, four days behind last year and one day behind the five-year average. Soybeans dropping leaves reached nine percent, four days behind last year and three days behind the five-year average. Soybean condition was 78% good to excellent.”) Here in north-central Iowa, 37% of soybeans were coloring and three percent were dropping leaves.

Blum  says while a majority of moisture levels continue to be adequate, things did get slightly drier this week. “Topsoil moisture condition rated three percent very short, 29% short, 67% adequate and one percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated four percent very short, 24% short, 70% adequate and two percent surplus.” Here in north-central Iowa, topsoil moisture is two percent short, 39% short, 58% adequate and one percent surplus. Subsoil moisture is rated two percent short, 27% short, 70% adequate and one percent surplus.

To see the full crop report, click here