Most of the state received much needed rain Friday, July 30 and Saturday, July 31 which meant Iowa farmers had 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 1, 2021, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Field activities continue to include applying fungicides and insecticides and harvesting hay and oats. Topsoil moisture levels rated 16% very short, 34% short, 49% adequate and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 20% very short, 41% short, 39% adequate and 0% surplus. Although moisture levels improved slightly in northwest Iowa, the shortage remains evident with topsoil rated 62% short to very short and subsoil rated 82% short to very short.
Corn silking or beyond reached 92%, one day ahead of the 5-year average. Corn in or beyond the dough stage reached 42%, four days ahead of average. Five percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage. Iowa’s corn condition was rated 62% good to excellent. Ninety-three percent of soybeans were blooming, 9 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans setting pods reached 73%, eight days ahead of normal. Soybean condition was rated 61% good to excellent. Oats coloring or beyond reached 97%.
Seventy-two percent of oats for grain have been harvested, equal to the 5-year average. The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 92% complete. The third cutting was reported at 22% complete, 1 day ahead of the 5-year average. Hay condition rated 57% good to excellent. Pasture condition was rated 40% good to excellent. No livestock comments were received this week.