Precipitation limited Iowa farmers to 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 28, 2020, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Northeast Iowa saw the highest rainfall and some severe weather.
Fieldwork activities included applying fertilizer, spraying, harvesting hay and hauling grain. Topsoil moisture levels rated 2% very short, 9% short, 81% adequate and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 1% very short, 7% short, 85% adequate and 7% surplus.
There were scattered reports of corn beginning to silk in the State. Corn condition rated 85% good to excellent. Soybean emergence reached 98%, over 2 weeks ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the 5- year average.
Soybean blooming reached 16%, almost 2 weeks ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 83% good to excellent.
Oats headed progressed to 86%, 6 days ahead of last year. Oat condition rated 82% good to excellent.
Ninety-seven percent of the first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. Alfalfa hay second cutting reached 9%, 1 week ahead of last year but 4 days behind the average. Hay condition rated 75% good to excellent.
Pasture condition rated 69% good to excellent. Some cow/calf operations reported pinkeye issues with insect pressure also mentioned.