Warm, windy weather doesn't help soil moisture

Iowa

A week of warm, windy weather resulted in one-third of the state's topsoil being rated either short or very short during the week ending June 17, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office, June 18.

This is a significant change from a week ago when over 90 percent of Iowa's topsoil had adequate or surplus moisture. Only a few areas of Iowa saw any precipitation in the past week. This allowed farmers to catch up on spraying although winds prevented some applications. There were 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 5.7 days last year at this time. Topsoil moisture rated 4 percent very short, 29 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.

Oats headed are at 67 percent, marginally behind last year's 68 percent, but ahead of the five-year average of 63 percent. Oats across the state are beginning to turn color. The condition of the oat crop is zero percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 61 percent good, and 16 percent excellent. Average corn height is 24 inches; an increase of 10 inches from the previous week. corn condition is basically unchanged from last week at 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 21 percent excellent.Soybeansare 97 percent emerged. Soybean condition is also virtually unchanged from the previous week at zero percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 60 percent good, and 17 percent excellent. First cutting of alfalfa hay, at 79 percent complete, remains well behind last year's 96 percent, but slightly ahead of the five-year average of 76 percent. All hay condition is 2 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 9 percent excellent.

Pasture condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 12 percent excellent. Fly populations have become an issue for some farmers and ranchers. Heat and rising humidity caused stress for livestock.

6/25/07

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