Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today (Monday), commented on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through October. Northey said “The continued pattern of rain showers and storms moving across the state means crops generally have plenty of moisture, which is not usually the case in late July. While there are certainly areas that have seen some crop damage due to the weather, in general both corn and beans are in good condition across much of the state.”

A dry start with rain near the end of the week allowed Iowa farmers 5 days suitable for corn fieldwork for the week ending July 26, 2015, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were reports of crop stress due to the hot, dry weather, as well as weed problems in soybeans. Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus.

Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 5 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Northwest Iowa was the driest area of the State with one-quarter rated very short to short on topsoil moisture. Eighty-three percent of the corn crop had reached the silking stage or beyond, with 11 percent reaching the dough stage. Corn condition rated 83 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans blooming or beyond reached 78 percent. Thirty-seven percent of soybeans were setting pods, slightly ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 76 percent good to excellent this week. Oat acreage turning color or beyond reached 96 percent, with 57 percent of the oat crop harvested for grain or seed, 5 days ahead of last year. Oat crop condition rating increased to 81 percent good to excellent.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay neared completion, while the second cutting reached 68 percent, one day behind last year, and nearly a week behind the average. The third cutting of alfalfa hay got underway this week. Hay condition was rated at 68 percent good to excellent, while pasture condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Livestock saw some stress during the day, but generally recovered at night.