Iowa's dry week benefits farmers

By Andi Anderson

Most of Iowa experienced little rainfall and below average temperatures, creating favorable conditions for farmers to complete essential fieldwork.

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, these conditions allowed for 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 21, 2024. Farmers focused on harvesting oats for grain, cutting and baling hay, and applying fungicides.

Topsoil moisture conditions were reported as 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions were rated similarly, with 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.

In terms of crop progress, 68 percent of the corn crop had reached the silking stage, which is one day behind last year but two days ahead of the five-year average.

The corn crop at the dough stage reached 18 percent, two days ahead of last year and five days ahead of the five-year average. The overall condition of the corn crop was rated at 75 percent good to excellent.

For soybeans, 69 percent of the crop was blooming, which is five days behind last year but equal to the five-year average.

Soybeans setting pods reached 25 percent, two days behind last year and one day behind the five-year average. The condition of the soybean crop was rated at 74 percent good to excellent.

Oats turning color reached 89 percent, two days behind last year but three days ahead of the five-year average.

The oat harvest for grain was 44 percent complete, five days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Oat condition was rated at 76 percent good to excellent.

The state's second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 75 percent completion, five days behind last year but two days ahead of the five-year average. The third cutting of alfalfa hay began at 6 percent, four days behind last year but one day ahead of the five-year average.

Hay condition was rated at 78 percent good to excellent, and pasture condition was rated at 71 percent good to excellent.

Overall, the dry weather and cooler temperatures provided Iowa farmers with excellent conditions for fieldwork, significantly benefiting crop and hay conditions across the state. Farmers continue to monitor and manage their crops to ensure a productive and successful season.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-pamwalker68