Cool weather limits ripening

Iowa

Most of the state received rainfall during the week ending Sept. 7, but amounts varied considerably, with only a small area getting a good soaking, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office, Sept. 8.

Statewide, topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies were mostly unchanged. Hay and pasture growth was stimulated where precipitation was sufficient. Cool temperatures, especially at night, limited progress toward maturity. Dairies began chopping corn for silage and seed corn harvest got underway.

There were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 4.9 days last year at this time. Topsoil moisture is rated 9 percent very short, 22 percent short, 65 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture is rated 5 percent very short, 20 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus.

Corn at or beyond the dough stage advanced to 82 percent, 15 percentage points behind last year and 14 percentage points behind the five-year average. Fifty percent of the corn has reached the dent stage, more than 2 weeks behind last year's 87 percent and 11 days behind the 5-year average of 82 percent. Corn condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Twenty-nine percent of the soybeans are turning color, 8 days behind last year's 54 percent pace and 1 week behind the 5-year average of 53 percent. Soybeans dropping leaves is 5 percent, compared with 20 percent last year and 18 percent normally shedding leaves by this date. Soybean condition is rated at 2 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. The third cutting of alfalfa advanced to 61 percent complete, 9 days behind last year's 81 percent pace and more than 2 weeks behind the five-year average of 87 percent. All hay condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 7 percent excellent.

Pasture and range condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 15 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 7 percent excellent.

9/15/08
6 Star Midwest Ag\6-B

Date: 9/10/08

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