Counties of: Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux
All of NW Iowa is in “Moderate Drought” or “Abnormally Dry” classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Many areas received less than one inch of rain in July. Hot temperatures added to the crop stress. Recently, temperatures have moderated, but we are still very short on rain. Long-range forecasts are calling for a cool August with normal rainfall chances.
Corn yields have already been reduced by the drought conditions but it’s too early to say how much. Farms with lighter soils have lost the most yield potential, but other farms have held up surprisingly well. Most corn completed pollination in late July and is now on to the blister stage. This is when the fertilized kernels begin to develop and grow, so weather conditions over the next two weeks will greatly impact the number and size of kernels. Stress during this time can cause fertilized kernels to abort, tip back ears, shallow kernels, and low test weight. The cool temperatures that we’ve had lately will help extend the grain fill stage, but we need significant rain soon to make respectable yields. Our soil moisture reserves are running on empty.
Soybeans are smaller than normal for this time of this year. The slow start and drought stress in July have most likely reduced yield potential, but favorable conditions in August could make up for part of the damages. Soybeans are now starting to make pods. They would greatly benefit from rainfall soon. We are starting to find low numbers of soybean aphids, which can be a serious pest in August (especially in drought years). Many fields will needs prayed with an insecticide over the next 2 weeks.
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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