For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 24, 2018
DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today commented on the Iowa
Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural
Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through
November.
“We
continue to be well ahead of the 5-year average on both corn and bean
development, with 85 percent of the corn crop in the silk stage and 81 percent
of the soybean crop blooming. Our thoughts and prayers are with many of our
farmers, especially those in central and southeast Iowa, who have endured some
severe weather, and we continue to assess the extent of the damage,” Naig
said.
The
weekly report is also available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov or on USDA’s
site at www.nass.usda.gov/ia. The report
summary follows here:
CROP
REPORT
Iowa
farmers had 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 22,
2018, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Some
farmers had to spend time surveying damage from the tornadoes, high winds and
hail that struck parts of the State on Thursday. Regular activities included
harvesting hay and applying chemicals.
Topsoil
moisture levels rated 3 percent very short, 12 percent short, 77 percent
adequate and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 5 percent very
short, 13 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.
Flood-related nutrient loss and crop damage remain a concern in the northern
two-thirds of the State while subsoil moisture levels in south central and
southeast Iowa considered short to very short are nearing 75 percent.
Eighty-eight
percent of the corn crop has silked, 1 week ahead of last year and 11 days
ahead of the 5-year average. Seven percent of the corn crop has reached the
dough stage, 3 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of average. Corn
condition rated 79 percent good to excellent. Eighty-one percent of the soybean
crop was blooming, with 40 percent of the soybean crop setting pods, 5 days
ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the average. Soybean condition rated 76
percent good to excellent. Ninety percent of the oat crop was turning color or
beyond, with 35 percent of the crop harvested for grain. Oat condition was
rated 77 percent good to excellent.
The
second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 86 percent complete, 10 days ahead of
average. Drier conditions were favorable for harvesting hay. Hay condition
rated 69 percent good to excellent. Pasture conditions declined slightly to 58
percent good to excellent. Cooler temperatures have provided livestock with
some relief from high temperatures experienced in previous weeks.
IOWA
PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
By
Dr. Justin Glisan, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship
A
series of fast-moving cold fronts moved across the state on Monday (16th) and
Tuesday (17th), bringing measurable rainfall to eastern and southern Iowa.
Fairfield (Jefferson County) reported 0.59 inches on the 16th . Lee County
observed accumulations between 0.01 and 0.05 inch on Tuesday. Cooler air moved
in behind the fronts, bringing below-normal to normal temperatures for the rest
of the week. Average highs were in the low- to mid-80s for much of Iowa, with
Oskaloosa reporting the week’s high temperature of 94 degrees on the 16th. On
Wednesday (18th), a thunderstorm complex moved into the state during the evening
hours. Pottawattamie, Fremont and Taylor Counties all reported rainfalls of
over an inch. Thursday (19th) was an active day as a strong low pressure system
over Minnesota and an attendant warm front draped over central Iowa fired up
discrete severe supercell thunderstorms. There were over 27 preliminary reports
of funnel clouds and tornadoes, with Bondurant, Marshalltown and Pella taking
direct hits; these locations reported catastrophic damage and some injuries.
The Pella and Marshalltown tornadoes were rated at EF-3, with estimated peak
winds at 144 mph; the Bondurant tornado was rated at EF-2, with estimated winds
of 115 mph. The storms sped through Oskaloosa and Ottumwa into Van Buren and
Lee Counties, where heavy rain and hail were reported. Widespread measurable
rain was also observed in Iowa’s northeast quadrant, with Waukon (Allamakee
County) recording 3.03 inches of rain, the week’s highest total. Conditions
calmed down on Friday (20th), as the low pressure moved into Wisconsin through
early Saturday (21st) morning. Lingering isolated thundershowers brought
rainfall to Clayton, Dubuque, and Jackson Counties; Guttenberg reported nearly
an inch of rain. Sunday (21st) was cooler and mostly dry. Average temperatures
were variable across the state, with eastern Iowa up to eight degrees below
normal.
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For more information, contact Dustin Vande Hoef, (515) 281-3375 or (515) 326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov
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