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Crops beginning to matureIowa Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies deteriorated again across much of the State during the week ending Aug. 31, but are still mostly adequate except in the Northwest and Southwest districts, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office, Sept. 2. Hay and pasture growth was limited across most of the state. Temperatures remained moderate, preventing significant crop stress, but progress toward maturity is visible. There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 3.5 days last year at this time. Topsoil moisture is rated 10 percent very short, 27 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture is rated 5 percent very short, 20 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Corn at or beyond the milk stage progressed to 93 percent, 2 weeks behind last year and 11 days behind the five-year average. Corn at or beyond the dough stage advanced to 75 percent, 16 percentage points behind last year and 15 percentage points behind the five-year average. Thirty-three percent of the corn has reached the dent stage, less than one-half of last year's 72 percent and just over one-half of the 5-year average of 64 percent. Corn condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 15 percent excellent. Soybeans setting pods progressed to 95 percent, 2 weeks later than last year and the five-year average. Nine percent of the soybeans are turning color, well behind last year's 26 percent pace and the 5-year average of 23 percent. Soybean condition is rated at 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. The oat harvest is virtually complete. The second cutting of alfalfa is 99 percent complete. The third cutting of alfalfa advanced to 50 percent complete, 1 week behind last year and 2 weeks behind the five-year average. All hay condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 40 percent good, and 8 percent excellent. Pasture and range condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. 9/8/08 Date: 9/3/08
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