News

Iowa’s crops look good, but need rain

As farmers in Iowa know very well, it doesn’t take long to go from too much rain to not enough.

Monday’s crop progress report for Iowa noted that the state could use rain, as some crops were showing signs of stress due to dry conditions. The report has corn rated 77 percent good to excellent, with soybeans at 73 percent.

Hay condition rated 83 percent good to excellent, while pasture condition decreased to 71 percent good to excellent.

“The dry weather (last week) allowed farmers to finish planting, make hay, spray for weeds, and side-dress fertilizer.  Most of the state could use a good soaking rain as the high temperatures and windy conditions have really dried things out and some crops are starting to show some stress as a result,” said Iowa ag secretary Bill Northey.