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Heat stress seen in some areas
Iowa As Iowa's summer heats up, crops are showing signs of stress from high temperatures and low moisture during the week ending July 8, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office, July 9. Leaves are curling from lack of moisture as few areas of the state have received significant rainfall recently. Many areas receiving measurable rainfall dealt with flooding and erosion as the rain fell in a very short time frame. Alfalfa fields are being affected by large leafhopper populations. There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 6.0 days last year at this time. Topsoil moisture rated 15 percent very short, 39 percent short, 44 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture rated 7 percent very short, 22 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Oats turning color are at 66 percent, 7 percentage points behind last year's 73 percent and one percentage point behind the five-year average. The condition of the oat crop is unchanged from last week at zero percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 60 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. corn tasseled, at 37 percent, is 3 days ahead of last year's 18 percent and 6 days ahead of the five-year average of 13 percent. corn silked, at 18 percent, is also 3 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of normal. Average corn height is 65 inches, an increase of 14 inches from the previous week. corn condition is rated at 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 19 percent excellent. soybeans blooming are at 52 percent, ahead of last year's 47 percent and the five-year average of 39 percent. Seven percent of soybeans are setting pods. Soybean condition is 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 15 percent excellent. Twenty-nine percent of the second cutting of alfalfa hay is complete, behind last year's 58 percent and the five year average of 39 percent. All hay condition is 3 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. Pasture condition rated 2 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 41 percent good, and 9 percent excellent. Pastures are having a hard time keeping up with grazing. Livestock are also showing signs of stress due to heat. Fly populations continue to pester livestock. Date: 7/10/07
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