Corn, soybean crops off to strong start in Floyd County region

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Warm, dry weather has helped crops take root and fieldwork move forward across Iowa, including in Floyd County and the surrounding north central district.

According to the latest Iowa Crop Progress & Condition Report, released Monday, June 2, farmers in the north central reporting district which includes Floyd County had 97 percent of their corn emerged as of Sunday, June 1. That’s the highest rate among the nine reporting districts in the state.

The report, by USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, says soybeans in the region were also progressing well, with 87 percent emerged. That’s again the highest percentage reported in the state and ahead of both last year’s pace and the five-year average.

Across Iowa, corn emergence reached 87 percent average statewide, with 84 percent of the crop rated in good to excellent condition. Soybeans were 79 percent emerged statewide, with 81 percent rated good to excellent.

Topsoil moisture in the north central district was reported as 5 percent very short, 33 percent short and 62 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture conditions were similar, with 5 percent very short, 27 percent short and 65 percent adequate. That places the region among the drier areas in the state.

The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor Report, issued Thursday, May 29, continues to list all of Floyd County except for the tiniest southwestern tip of the county as “abnormally dry.”

“Moderate drought” ratings – the lowest level of drought – continue in the far northwest and southwest parts of the state, as well as a slice along the eastern edge of the state in Dubuque and Jackson counties.

The Iowa Crop Progress & Condition Report noted that farmers statewide had 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork last week. In the north central district there were 5.1 days suitable, with activity focused on finishing planting, spraying and hay cutting.

The weekly report also highlighted generally favorable crop and pasture conditions despite lower-than-average rainfall in May. Smoke from Canadian wildfires and persistent cloud cover last week held temperatures below normal across much of the state, with northern Iowa recording lows near 40 degrees early in the week.

The complete report is available on the USDA NASS website at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications.