Weekly Iowa Crop Report, June 12, 2016

Sunny and hot temperatures spurred growth and fieldwork progress during the week ending June 12, 2016, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork, the second highest number of days suitable so far this year. Activities for the week included cutting and baling hay, spraying herbicides and side-dressing corn with nitrogen. Due to the spotty nature of recent rains, many parts of the State would welcome rain, while other areas have adequate moisture.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 12 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 7 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.

Virtually all of Iowa’s corn crop has emerged. Eighty percent of the corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition. Soybean planting reached 98 percent complete, 2 weeks ahead of last year and 13 days ahead of the five-year average. Soybean emergence reached 91 percent, 10 days ahead of both last year and the average. Soybean condition rated 81 percent good to excellent this week. Oats headed reached 60 percent this week, 5 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of normal. Oat condition rated 82 percent good to excellent.

Warmer and drier weather allowed Iowa farmers to complete over one-quarter of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa during the week to reach 86 percent complete. Hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 79 percent good to excellent. There were scattered reports of stress on livestock due to the heat and humidity.

Source:  Iowa Dept of Ag