Much needed precipitation limited Iowa farmers to 3.9 suitable days for fieldwork last week, according to the latest Crop Progress and Condition Report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Field activities included spraying post emergence herbicides and harvesting hay. Farmers reported crops benefiting from the rain but more moisture is needed, especially in the northern two thirds of the state. There were scattered reports of damaging hail and high winds throughout Iowa. Corn condition rated 60% good to excellent, and soybean condition rated 58% good to excellent. Soybean emergence is virtually complete with 19% of soybeans blooming, six days ahead of the five-year average. Pasture condition improved slightly to 40% good to excellent.