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Besides southeast Iowa, little to no precipitation allowed farmers 5.7 suitable days for field work last week, according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Spotty rains benefitted crops but farmers reported more moisture is needed, especially in the northern two-thirds of the state. Across Iowa there were scattered reports of corn silking, and Iowa’s corn condition rated 62% good to excellent. Thirty-nine percent of soybeans were blooming, six days ahead of the five-year average, and five percent of soybeans are setting pods, five days ahead of normal. Soybean condition was rated 59% good to excellent. Field activities included spraying post emergence herbicides and harvesting hay. Pasture condition was rated 39% good to excellent. Producers reported heat stressed livestock, with some having to start supplemental feeding.