Last weeks’ heat and lack of moisture in some parts of Iowa stressed some crops, causing corn leaves to curl. According to this week’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 18% of corn is excellent, 61% is good and 17% is fair. Soybeans are in similar condition with 14% excellent, 63% good and 18% fair.

In southeast Iowa, there were 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork. Also, locally 32% of the second cutting of alfalfa hay was completed, ahead of the five-year average of 15%.