Southwest Iowa Crop Conditions

Corn pollination went well for the most part. The big news topic has been “tightly wrapped tassels” in parts of the Corn Belt. We have not really seen that around here and neither have farmers or agronomists we’ve talked to. Not to say it hasn’t occurred around here, just not to much extent. Fungicide applications have concluded. If wet weather continues through August, there will be some who apply a second application in a few weeks.

Beans are making pods and forming beans inside the pods. All seems to be on track for a very good crop. Fungicide applications are being made. Fields with a history of white mold may see a return of that problem.

Corn and soybean prices are trading on expectations of a huge crop. Supply/demand fundamentals are not that negative as shown by the estimated ending stocks for this year and next year. Prices have been posting their lows in August and September in recent years. That may be the case again this year.

Land values are holding steady at this point in the year. As I watch farms sell near other farms I’ve appraised over the past year, the results fit right in with the previous analysis. Many areas have seen little to no sales activity for quite a while; however, some areas have had normal activity.