The USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service released its weekly Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report Tuesday.

Warm weather and drier conditions allowed Iowa farmers 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 8. Activities for the week included herbicide and fungicide applications, detasseling seed corn and harvesting hay. Thirty-five percent of the corn crop has silked, 8 days ahead of both last year and the 5-year average. Seventy-eight percent of the corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition. Forty-six percent of the soybean crop was blooming, over one week ahead of the average. Seven percent of the soybean crop was setting pods, 3 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the average. Seventy-six percent of the soybean crop was rated in good to excellent condition. The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 49 percent complete, 6 days ahead of average. Heat and high humidity have been hard on livestock, but cool overnight temperatures have helped reduce stress.