Most of soybean crop blooming, setting pods

Iowa farmers had 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Aug. 19, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Upper Midwest Regional Field Office, Iowa. Activities for the week included harvesting hay and oats for grain, chopping corn silage, spraying for aphids and moving grain.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 11 percent very short, 19 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 10 percent very short, 19 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels in south central and southeast Iowa remain critical with 95 percent or more rated short to very short.

Eighty-five percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage or beyond, 9 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn dented was at 42 percent, 9 days ahead of last year. Corn condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Ninety-eight percent of the soybean crop was blooming with 93 percent setting pods, 1 week ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the average. Soybean condition declined slightly to 70 percent good to excellent. Ninety-five percent of the oat crop has been harvested for grain.