Counties of: Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux
Much of NW Iowa has not had rain yet in July, and June rainfall was very inconsistent. To make the situation worse we’ve had mostly hot temperatures recently. About half of Iowa is considered abnormally dry and nearly 20% is classified as in a moderate drought. Most of Nebraska and the Dakotas are in worse shape than Iowa.
Corn is just beginning the pollination process which will determine the number of kernels that can develop into
harvestable grain. Stress during this time can cause yield loss faster than any other time. Corn only gets one chance to pollinate. Corn plants in light soils have already been damaged, but corn with healthy roots in good soil still have potential for high yields if conditions improve. We are hoping for a rain soon and cooler temperatures.
Soybeans are slow to grow and fill in the rows this year. This is making weed control more of a challenge. They are flowering now and soon will start making pods. In a way soybeans have an advantage during a drought because they add new growth, flowers, and make pods all together for a much longer time period than corn pollination. If soybeans get favorable weather later this summer they can add significant yield while corn is basically set by then.
Please click on the links on the right to view the past pdf’s of our Northwest Crop Conditions reports.
1705 N Lake Ave
Storm Lake, IA 50588
Real Estate Licensed in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota.
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