|
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, Sept. 4, 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.
“A
series of storms brought significant rainfall to much of the state and caused
flooding conditions in some areas. Crop development remains well ahead of
average and we could start to see more harvest activity in the next couple of
weeks if conditions allow,” 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
Widespread
rainfall meant Iowa farmers had just 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the
week ending September 2, 2018, according to the USDA, National Agricultural
Statistics Service. Activities for the week included cutting hay, chopping corn
silage, and moving grain.
Topsoil
moisture levels rated 4 percent very short, 6 percent short, 69 percent
adequate and 21 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 6 percent very
short, 9 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. Much of
southern Iowa received multiple inches of rain over the past week, easing
moisture concerns in some areas although levels are still mostly short to very
short.
Ninety-five
percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage or beyond with 77 percent
dented or beyond, over a week ahead of both last year and the 5-year average.
Fifteen percent of the corn crop was mature, 8 days ahead of average. There
were a few reports of corn harvested for grain. Corn condition rated 74 percent
good to excellent. Almost one-third of the soybean crop was coloring with 4
percent dropping leaves. Soybean condition rated 72 percent good to excellent.
The
third cutting of alfalfa hay was 79 percent complete, now over a week behind
the previous year as weather conditions allowed for little progress in cutting
hay. Pasture conditions improved to 47 percent good to excellent.
IOWA PRELIMINARY
WEATHER SUMMARY
By
Dr. Justin Glisan, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land
Stewardship
The
final week of August was warmer and wetter than normal. Many locations received
rainfall between two to four inches above normal, including drought-stricken
areas in southern Iowa. Average temperatures were up to four degrees warmer
than normal. A series of convective systems moved across Iowa on Monday (27th)
bringing moderate rainfall to much of the eastern two-thirds of the state. The
northern-most tier of counties also experienced severe thunderstorm with heavy
rain; Cresco (Howard County) observed 3.32 inches. There were multiple reports
of hail from Sioux to Palo Alto counties, with three-inch diameter hail in
Ayrshire. Tuesday (28th) was also an active weather day as a strong cold front
swept through the state, bringing severe thunderstorms and locally heavy rain
to northern and southeastern Iowa. Over 30 stations recorded rainfall above one
inch, with Keokuk (Lee County) reporting 4.90 inches. High pressure moved into
Iowa on Wednesday (29th) bringing generally clear skies and cooler
temperatures. This pattern persisted into Thursday (30th) as the high moved
across the state. Average highs were unseasonably cool, ranging from the low
70s in the north to mid-70s and low 80s in the south. Friday (31st), Saturday
(1st) and Sunday (2nd) saw waves of showers and thunderstorms across Iowa, with
many locations reporting multiple inches of rain. Traer (Tama County) observed
5.42 inches on Saturday; Montezuma (Poweshiek County) reported 5.16 inches on
Sunday. There were also multiple reports of severe hail and straight-line winds
across 11 counties. Two-inch diameter hail was reported in Cass County on
Friday and in Polk County on Saturday. Tree damage from severe high winds was
observed in Dubuque (Dubuque County) on Sunday. Average highs over the weekend
were generally a few degrees warmer than normal, with Lamoni (Decatur County)
observing 91 degrees on Sunday.
-30-
For more information, contact Dustin Vande Hoef, (515) 281-3375 or (515) 326-1616 (cell) or Dustin.VandeHoef@IowaAgriculture.gov
|
