A lack of precipitation across the state as July drew to a close left time for fieldwork and stress for crops and livestock across the Hawkeye State. According to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Weekly Crop Progress Report for the week ending July 31st, there were 6.3 days during the week suitable for fieldwork. That work centered around the cutting and bailing of hay and pesticide applications.

Lack of moisture is beginning to cause concern for many in the ag industry. Topsoil moisture condition was rated 1% surplus, 50% adequate, 32% short and 17% very short with subsoil moisture condition rated 1% surplus, 53% adequate, 31% short and 15% very short.

Crop data shows corn silking or beyond is 87%, two days behind last year and the five-year average. Thirty percentage of the crop has reached the dough stage or beyond, three days behind last year but on pace with the average. Iowa’s corn crop has seen just 1% reach the dent stage, six days behind last year and three behind average. Corn condition is rated 76% good to excellent. In beans 83% are blooming, one week behind last year and two days behind average. More than half of the crop is setting pods at 52%, six days behind last year and one day behind the average. Condition of the crop also declined to 73% good to excellent. In oats, 91% of the crop was turning color or beyond, eight days behind last year with 64% of the crop harvested, one day behind last year.

In hay, 89% of the second cutting across the state has completed with a third cutting at 13%. Condition was rated 61% good to excellent with pasture condition rated only 47% good to excellent, citing a lack of rain stressing pastures and livestock.