Northwest Iowa Crop Conditions

Northwest Iowa finally had widespread rainfall over the past four days. However, amountswere spotty with some farms receiving 2 or more inches and others only a half inch.Multiple hail storms also arose with severe damage in Plymouth County especially. Crops are responding to the much needed rain with rapid growth and improving health across the area. Rainfall totals for the month of June in this reign ranged from less than 1 inch to 4inches. On average we get about 4 inches of rain here in June. May and June are typically the wettest months of the year. Some areas are running about 6 inches less than average rainfall over the past 60 days. The weather outlook is trending warmer and drier for the next two weeks.

Most corn still looks relatively good at this stage. Most corn is 4 to 6 feet tall and 10 to 14days from pollination. The drought stress doesn’t seem to have permanently damaged most corn outside of light sandy spots. It’s still easy to spot size variability, which started when corn emerged in early May in cold, dry soil. Additional rainfall as we get closer to corn pollination will be needed, and we’re hopeful to avoid excessively hot temperatures. I still think trend line yields are possible in this area but unlikely.

Soybeans are 8 to 12 inches tall. They have been slow to grow because of dry soil. The beans will start to bloom soon (some already have). We have potential for an acceptable soybean crop, but weather conditions in July and August will be the biggest factor.Significant rainfall will be needed.