Farmers in north central Iowa had just over five days suitable for fieldwork last week, according to the latest USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report. Local activities included harvesting oats and hay, along with some fungicide and insecticide applications.
Corn progress is close to normal, with 78 percent in the dough stage and 27 percent dented. Soybeans are setting pods on 83 percent of acres. Crop conditions remain strong, with about 86 percent of corn and 82 percent of soybeans rated good to excellent. Pastures also continue to benefit from frequent rains, keeping grazing conditions favorable for livestock.
Here in our area, counties like Franklin, Wright, Hardin, Cerro Gordo, and Butler saw storms last Friday that brought high winds and hail, with gusts clocked above 70 miles per hour in the area. Despite the storms, statewide moisture levels remain adequate to surplus.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the state’s drought map is now completely free of drought for the first time in more than a year. He adds that the outlook through the end of August calls for cooler temperatures and more seasonal rainfall. The full crop progress report is available at nass.usda.gov.
Information in this story provided by the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report which can also be found here: https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/august-18-iowa-crop-progress-and-condition-report
