Iowa farmers got a little bit of relief this past week with some cooler temperatures and rain showers.
This week’s Iowa Crop Report released by the USDA says corn is beginning to silk across the state, hitting 22 percent this week – that’s six days ahead of last year and two days of the average. There are also some reports of corn starting to dough. Corn condition remained steady at 61 percent good to excellent.
Forty-six percent of soybeans were blooming – five days ahead of last year and three days ahead of the average. Soybeans setting pods reached 7 percent, 4 days ahead of last year and 1 day ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 52 percent good to excellent.
Sixty-seven percent of oats were turning color, 8 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of normal. Oat condition improved slightly with 52 percent good to excellent.
And the State’s second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 58 percent complete, 9 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the average.
