Dry conditions continue to stress crops and pastures across Iowa, as fieldwork for this period included harvesting corn for silage and cutting hay. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, widely scattered rain across the State resulted in 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 14th.

Moisture levels continue to fall, with topsoil moisture conditions rated 24 percent very short, 29 percent short, 44 percent adequate, and three percent surplus. The moisture shortage was evident, with over half of the topsoil considered short to very short in the Northwest, West Central, Central, Southwest, South Central, and Southeast Districts. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 23 percent very short, 32 percent short, 43 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

Corn silking or beyond was 96 percent, six days behind last year and five days behind the five-year average. Seventy-two percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage or beyond, three days behind last year but one day ahead of the average. Fifteen percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dent stage, four days behind last year and one day behind the five-year average. Corn condition dropped to 66 percent good to excellent, seven percentage points below the previous week.

Ninety-four percent of soybeans were blooming, 12 days behind last year and three days behind average. Eighty percent of the soybean crop was setting pods, eight days behind last year and two days behind the five-year average. Soybeans began coloring at one percent, equal to last year and the five-year average. Iowa’s soybean condition fell to 63 percent good to excellent, eight percentage points lower than the previous week. 

Oats harvested for grain reached 86 percent, six days behind both last year and the average. Ninety-seven percent of the State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay was complete, with the third cutting at 40 percent. All hay conditions declined to 46 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated just 32 percent good to excellent.