Farmers in the RadioOnTheGo broadcast area enjoyed a stretch of cooler, drier weather last week, giving them time to make progress in the fields. According to the latest USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report, Iowa had more than five and a half days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Aug. 24. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said farmers welcomed the break from rain and humidity, but noted that September could bring warmer-than-usual conditions as harvest season approaches.
Statewide, 88% of corn is in the dough stage with 45% dented. Soybeans are 90% setting pods and beginning to color. Crop conditions remain strong, with more than 80% of pastures rated good to excellent.
Here in north central Iowa, the week brought some heavy rainfall early on, including reports of more than an inch in areas along with a brief tornado near Crystal Lake in Winnebago County. Still, farmers in Franklin, Butler, Hardin, Grundy, Wright and Cerro Gordo counties are reporting mostly adequate soil moisture and continued progress in oat and hay harvest.
The full report can be found at nass.usda.gov.
