Iowa Crop Report, July 8, 2015

Warm and sunny weather helped dry out soil conditions and aided crop development during the week ending July 5, 2015, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork. This was only the second week this season that all districts had at least 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included cutting hay, applying herbicides, and scattered replanting of crops.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 25 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 22 percent surplus. Statewide surplus topsoil and subsoil moisture levels dropped 6 and 4 percentage points, respectively, from the previous week.

Eighty-two percent of the corn crop was rated good to excellent. Nearly all soybeans have emerged. Soybeans blooming reached 20 percent. Soybean condition rated 78 percent good to excellent this week. Oats headed or beyond reached 96 percent this week. The percent of oat acreage turning color reached 43 percent, 4 days ahead of 2014, and slightly ahead of normal. Oat condition improved slightly to 82 percent good to excellent.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay reached 90 percent complete. The second cutting reached 24 percent, one week ahead of last year, but 4 days behind the average. Hay conditions remained 70 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were reported as good.

Source:  Iowa Dept of Ag