Corn progressed very well this week thanks to much needed rain showers. Check out the photo – and the crop report – that was filed on Monday “From the Field” near Steamboat Rock. It’s looking good!
Unfortunately, some areas throughout my territory aren’t looking this good as they remain very short on moisture with producers reporting only a ½” for the month of June. Early planted corn fields are approaching the silk stage and other areas lagging behind due to poor conditions and stress. This week’s crop report by the Iowa Department of Agriculture shows topsoil moisture levels as 14 percent very short, 40 percent short and 45 percent adequate. East Central Iowa is the driest with 78 percent of the topsoil moisture rated short to very short.
I’m concerned about this season’s soybean crop. Dry top soil at planting and additional stress from poor planting depth and soil and field conditions has really hurt soybean stands in my area. Final stands of 100,000 to 120,000 plants per acre (ppa) are going to require some good management decisions for the rest of this season.
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