Corn in southeast Iowa was taller than knee-high by the 4th of July.

According to the USDA, 78% of the state’s corn was rated in good to excellent condition. Soybean emergence is nearly complete in Iowa and are rated at 72% good to excellent. In southeast Iowa, only four percent of soybeans are blooming, behind the five-year average of 15% and last year’s rate of 18%. Also in our region of the state 27% of oats are coloring, behind the five-year average of 36%. Due to the weather last week with isolated precipitation and scattered storms, there were only 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork statewide.