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Steady growth in cropsIowa During the week ending July 20, Iowa experienced another week of rapid crop maturation, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office, July 21. Favorable periods of sun and rain along with heat and humidity contributed to the advance. In the second half of the week, heavy rain mixed with hail and strong winds in central and western districts caused isolated minor crop damage and soggy conditions for second hay harvest. There were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 5.5 days last year at this time. Topsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 26 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 68 percent adequate, and 29 percent surplus. Corn height averaged 61 inches, 20 inches behind last year at this time and 16 inches behind the five-year average. Nearly one-third of Iowa's corn crop is tasseling. Corn condition rated 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Fifty-three percent of soybeans are blooming, 11 days behind last year and one week behind the five-year average. Soybean condition rated 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Seventy-eight percent of the oat crop is turning color, which is 17 percentage points behind last year and 19 percentage points behind the five-year average. Oats condition rated 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. Second cutting of alfalfa is 34 percent complete, 2 weeks behind the five-year average. All hay condition rated 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Pasture and range condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 19 percent excellent. 7/28/08 Date: 7/23/08
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