Iowa Ag Connection - Thunderstorms Cause Significant Damage in NE Iowa

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Thunderstorms Cause Significant Damage in NE Iowa
Iowa Ag Connection - 08/30/2016

Above normal precipitation resulted in just 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork across Iowa during the week ending Sunday, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Activities for the week included chopping corn for silage and planting cover crops. Producers continued to cut hay when conditions were dry enough.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus.Subsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Ponding and flooding of some fields were reported in the northern two-thirds of Iowa.

Ninety-four percent of the corn crop reached the dough stage or beyond, 8 days ahead of the five-year average, with sixty-five percent dented or beyond, 5 days ahead of both last year and normal. Corn was starting to mature, most notably in the southern third of the State. Corn condition rated 83 percent good to excellent despite some reports of crop damage from heavy rain and wind during the week. Soybeans setting pods reached 96 percent, 4 days ahead of last year. Thirteen percent of soybeans have started to turn color, 3 days ahead of last year's pace. Soybean condition rated 82 percent good to excellent, although there were reports of sudden death and white mold in some soybean fields. Oats harvested for grain or seed was virtually complete.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 73 percent complete, one week ahead of last year. Pasture condition rated 64 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were normal although higher insect numbers and muddy feedlots were reported in some areas of the State.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey 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.

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