Iowa’s Ag Secretary says crop conditions good, but could use little break from rain

CLEAR LAKE — Iowa’s Secretary of Agriculture says crop conditions continue to be good despite some rainy weather to start the summer season.

Mike Naig says though the rainfall is improving drought conditions and helping the corn during tasseling and pollination, there are some parts of the state that could use a little break from the rain.   “Really extensively over the state in just the last couple of weeks, I’ve seen a lot of really good looking crops, and we’ve gotten timely rain. Some people would say maybe a little too much rain in some places, but honestly as we came through June, when you really do need to be getting those regular shots of rain, and even as we look at a more active weather pattern into July, from a moisture standpoint, as opposed to the last several years, things are looking really good.”

The USDA weekly crop report had corn condition statewide rated 85% good to excellent, with corn silking being at about average, and 5% having reached the dough stage. Soybeans were rated 79% good to excellent. Soybeans blooming were three days ahead of last year but equal to the five year average, while 18% of the soybeans were setting pods, four days ahead of last year and three days ahead of the average.