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Crop Report from the Iowa field office of the National Agricultural Statistical Service in Des Moines. Issued July 26.

Heavy rain saturates fields

Rainfall scattered throughout the state left field conditions either well saturated or flooded. Some ponded areas continued to grow leaving re-planted crops flooded, the USDA said in its weekly crop condition report.

Higher grounds and sandy soils are in excellent condition while crops on flatter and lower grounds are not draining well with the significant amount of rain received. Fungicide, herbicide, and insecticide spraying are ongoing as prevention rather than treatment with recent conditions. The last half of the week brought heavy rain that halted fieldwork and caused minor flooding throughout the state. Considering all the excess rain, no significant crop damage was reported.

Normal for late July, Iowa received high temperatures and humidity which helped crops progress. Rainfall in west central part of the state left fields saturated but in good condition while excessive rains in Central Iowa left fields drowned out. Corn and soybean color is improving in Southwest Iowa. Aphids are being detected but infestations are light. Farmers are having difficulty harvesting hay and oats between rainfalls. High heat and humidity levels have been more stressful on livestock than crops; however, most livestock is in good condition.

There were 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the past week, compared with 4.6 days the previous week. Southwest Iowa had the highest average with 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork while South Central Iowa was only able to work 2.2 days during the week. Topsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 55 percent adequate, and 45 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 50 percent adequate, and 50 percent surplus.

Ninety-four percent of the corn acres have tasseled, 85 percent have silked, and 21 percent have reached the milk stage; all three are well ahead of last year and the five-year average. Corn reached dough stage in 2 percent of the crop, ahead of last year, but behind the five-year average of 6 percent. Corn condition rated 3 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 43 percent good, and 27 percent excellent.

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