News
Central and east-central Iowa driest in the state
A mostly hot and dry week across Iowa stressed crops but did allow the harvest of hay and oats to advance.
The latest weekly USDA report says some parts of the state received no measurable rainfall the past seven days, with topsoil moisture levels in central and east-central Iowa the lowest in the state at more than 80 percent short to very short.
Crop condition ratings keep declining with corn considered good to excellent dropping three percentage points to 58 percent good to excellent, and soybeans falling two percent, also at 58 percent good to excellent.
Nearly 30 percent of corn has reached the dent stage, four days ahead of the five-year average.
Soybean development is about a week faster than normal with 90 percent are setting pods.
The oat harvest is 93 percent complete, three days behind average.
And the third cutting of alfalfa is 54 percent done, with hay condition rated 55 percent good to excellent.
