Cool and dry weather throughout the state led to 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork last week, according to the latest Crop Progress Report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Field activities included cutting and baling hay, as well as harvesting oats. Due to overall dryness, Conservation Reserve Program land was opened for emergency haying and grazing.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 15 percent very short, 38 percent short, 46 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 19 percent very short, 44 percent short, 36 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Corn in the dough stage reached 92 percent this week, eight days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the five-year average. Thirty-nine percent of the corn crop was dented, four days ahead of last year and three days ahead of normal. Corn condition rated 60 percent good to excellent. Soybeans setting pods reached 94 percent, one week ahead of both last year, and the average. Four percent of soybeans started to turn color this week. Soybean condition rated 59 percent good to excellent. Oats harvest for grain, meanwhile, reached 98 percent, one week ahead of the average.

Iowa’s third cutting of alfalfa hay reached 82 percent complete, 19 days ahead of last year and 16 days ahead of the average. Pasture conditions rated 23 percent good to excellent. Livestock producers continue to supplement with hay due to the prolonged dry conditions, but overall livestock conditions were decent with the lower-than-average temperatures last week.