Iowa Corn Crop Doing Well Despite Drought

Iowa’s corn crop is doing pretty well in the midst of a drought.

Monday’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA says corn condition is rated 80-percent good to excellent across the state. 

Corn silking is at 66-percent – just three days behind average. Eight-percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage – just two days behind normal. 

Meanwhile, Iowa’s soybean condition rating was 75-percent good to excellent. Seventy-two percent of soybeans are blooming – that’s two days behind average. Thirty-two percent of the bean crop is setting pods – just one day behind normal. 

Iowa’s oats are rated 78-percent good to excellent, with hay condition rated 66-percent good to excellent. Seventy-seven percent of the state’s second cutting of alfalfa hay is complete, with the third cutting underway at three-percent.

Secretary of Ag Mike Naig says much of Iowa received at least some rain this past week, but not enough to ease drought conditions.