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Resounding call for rain
Iowa As Iowa's summer heat continues, crops were showing signs of stress from high temperatures and low moisture during the week ending July 15, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, July 16. corn leaves are curling from lack of moisture as few areas of the state received significant rainfall recently. Conditions were suitable for alfalfa harvest and spraying of herbicides and fungicides. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 5.7 days last year at this time. Topsoil moisture rated 28 percent very short, 42 percent short, 30 percent adequate, and zero percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture rated 11 percent very short, 32 percent short, 56 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Oats turning color are at 89 percent, 5 percentage points behind last year's 94 percent and equal to the five-year average. Oats harvested for grain are at 12 percent, slightly behind last year and 4 percentage points behind the five-year average. The condition of the oat crop decreased from last week to 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. corn tasseled, at 70 percent, is 6 percentage points ahead of last year's 64 percent and 5 days ahead of the five-year average of 45 percent. corn silked, at 47 percent, is 1 day ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. corn in milk stage is at 6 percent, 2 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the five-year average. corn condition is rated at 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 15 percent excellent. soybeans blooming are at 69 percent, slightly ahead of last year's 67 percent and the five-year average of 62 percent. Seventeen percent of soybeans are setting pods, 2 percentage points above last year and 5 percentage points above the five-year average. Soybean condition is 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. Fifty-eight percent of the second cutting of alfalfa hay is complete, behind last year's 77 percent and the five-year average of 60 percent. All hay condition is 4 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Pasture condition rated 4 percent very poor, 19 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 33 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Pastures are having a hard time keeping up with grazing. Livestock are also showing signs of stress due to heat. Fly populations to pester livestock. Date: 7/18/07
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