Ninety-six percent of Iowa?s corn crop has emerged, one week behind last year. Seventy-seven percent of the corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Soybean planting reached 98 percent complete, over 2 weeks ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean emergence reached 85 percent, 2 days behind last year but 4 days ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 73 percent good to excellent.
?The dry weather allowed farmers to finish planting, make hay, spray for weeds, and side-dress fertilizer. Most of the state could use a good soaking rain as the high temperatures and windy conditions have really dried things out and some crops are starting to show some stress as a result,? Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said.
Statewide there were 6 days suitable for fieldwork, the highest number of days suitable so far this year. However, Iowa could use rain in the next week, as some crops are showing signs of stress due to the dry conditions.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 7 percent very short, 33 percent short, 59 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Southeastern Iowa reported the lowest levels of topsoil moisture with 56 percent rated short to very short. Subsoil moisture levels rated 2 percent very short, 16 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.
