Iowa Weekly Crop Report, June 5, 2016

Traditional american red farm with tractor

Fieldwork conditions improved across much of Iowa with only spotty rains during the week ending June 5, 2016, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Producers in the northern third of the state were still struggling with some wet spots in fields. Activities for the week included spraying, and side-dressing nitrogen.

Topsoil moisture levels rated to 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 86 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus.

Ninety-seven percent of the corn crop has emerged, 9 days ahead of normal. Eighty percent of the corn crop was rated good to excellent. Soybean planting reached 94 percent complete, 11 days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Soybean emergence reached 78 percent, 6 days ahead of last year. The first soybean condition rating of the season came in at 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 69 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. Oats headed reached 39 percent this week, one week ahead of last year and five days ahead of normal. Oat condition improved slightly to 84 percent good to excellent.

Mostly dry weather conditions allowed good progress on the first cutting of alfalfa hay with 60 percent complete, one week ahead of last year’s pace. Hay conditions rated 79 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were mostly reported to be excellent.

Source;  Iowa Dept of Ag