It was another productive week for Iowa farmers, with 5.8 days suitable for field work according to the Department of Agriculture’s latest Crop Progress Report. Predominant field activities continue to include harvesting oats for grain, cutting and baling hay, and applying fungicides. 

Topsoil moisture condition rated one percent very short, 12 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and seven percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated two percent very short, 11 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and seven percent surplus. 

Corn silking hit 85 percent this week, two days behind last year, but two days ahead of the five-year average. Thirty-four percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage or beyond, one day ahead of last year and four days ahead of the average. As of July 28, two percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage. Corn condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Eighty-three percent of soybeans were blooming, four days behind last year, but one day ahead of normal. Soybeans setting pods reached 43 percent, two days behind last year. Soybean condition was 76 percent good to excellent. Ninety-six percent of oats were turning color or beyond. Oats harvested for grain reached 67 percent complete, six days ahead of last year, and four days ahead of the five-year average. 

Iowa’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 87 percent complete, four days behind last year but two days ahead of the average. The State’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 16 percent complete, six days behind last year but also two days ahead of the five-year average. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent, while pasture condition rated 71 percent good to excellent. Some heat stress in livestock was reported.