(Iowa Farmer Today) – Cooler, dryer weather prevailed throughout the state last week as the wheat harvest and double crop planting continued, according to the June 26 USDA Crop Progress report.
Corn silking reached 2 percent, compared to 6 percent for the 5-year average.
Soybeans blooming was 7 percent, compared with 1 percent last year.
Winter wheat harvest was 78 percent complete, compared to the five-year average of 47 percent.
Northeast: Katelyn Quinn
Our corn plants are getting pretty thirsty. This week we tested out our new Y-drop equipment on the sprayer to sidedress our corn. We also began Operation Cow Chow with the second-cut alfalfa crop and first-cut oats. Our corn stands between V6-V7 stage, soybeans at V2, and our wheat went from green to gold.
West: Lance Tarochione
Comfortably cool but still very dry sums up our current weather. Current forecasts promise significant rainfall this week, but we have heard that before with little or no results. Our last significant rainfall was May 26. Since then in several small showers we have managed to accumulate almost 1 inch of rainfall, which is keeping us going so far. Japanese beetles are flourishing and some early planted soybean fields have already been treated. Corn fields will be watched closely as pollination approaches. Seems to be a good year for insects.
We didn’t get much sizable rain but we did catch a half inch. It didn’t evaporate quickly as there were cooler temperatures, and the rain came slow, giving the crops a drink that was desperately needed. We started cutting wheat, and it looks pretty good. Moisture was 14.2 to 15 percent. We’ve got a lot of weeds, but we are keeping them under control. We haven’t used any dicamba here and we are a little reluctant to try after some horror stories we’ve heard. No corn tasseling yet, but likely some by late in the week.
East: Kris Ehler
Continued hit or miss rains have left our immediate area in severe moisture stress. Other areas to the north continue to be wet and herbicide applications have been challenging. Overall, both crops continue to look tough throughout the area. Corn is V8-V9 and beans are for the most part R1. Cooler temperatures are very welcome and some much-needed rain chances may help the areas where growth has stalled due to moisture deficiencies.
West Southwest: Marty Marr
Welcome rains improved crop conditions. Amounts varied from 0.5 to 2 inches. This relief resulted with early planted corn beginning to tassel and beans also gaining vigor. There are areas around Williamsville to Mt. Pulaski that have been predominately dry and need more rain to catch up. Overall the crops look good. Now the market anxiety is setting in with many folks, but for now a positive attitude and faith will have to sustain us.
East Southeast: Don Guinnip
Double crop beans went in very nicely — good moisture, good conditions. Double crops in fields with early maturing wheat varieties are up and growing. Reports of tassels in early April corn are circulating. Regrowth in hay fields of alfalfa and clover is excellent. Dicamba spray stories are abundant. Good crop prospects overall. No market rally yet. Weeds doing very well.
Southwest: Kristi Droste
This past week allowed for most of the wheat and double-crop beans to get finished. Hurricane Cindy moved into the area by the end of the week. Washington County received minimal amounts of rain whereas just to the south received up to 5 inches or more. Most of the focus now will be on scouting and post spraying soybeans. So far, common rust has been observed but the much more aggressive southern rust moving in from our recent southern storm will need to be kept on the radar. For the majority, crop conditions appear to be average.
Southeast: Kelly Robertson
We were blessed with an inch of rain on Friday (June 23) from Tropical Storm Cindy. We were lucky as some not far from us had 5 inches of rain and flash floods while others got nothing. The April planted corn is starting to show a few tassels. Corn ranges from tassel to boot-top tall, sometimes in the same field. Beans are all over the place, and some are still being replanted here and there. Spraying is the main job right now as waterhemp is out of control in some places. We have to continue to get timely rains to have a chance this year with yields.
