Most of the state corn crop is in the ground and the latest U.S.D.A. report shows 90% of it has emerged, while just 13% of the soybean crop remains to be planted. Iowa Agriculture Secretary, Bill Northey, says the biggest concern right now is some localized flooding.
Northey says there is some flooding and the big key is the amount of time the water sits in the fields before it dries off so crops don’t get damages. He says there is also a concern about the impact of the Missouri River on crops. While heavy rains slowed progress last week, Northey dry warm days are helping this week.
“This heat is…just what’s ordered, we certainly have the moisture out there for the crop to grow in, and we see that corn jumping almost out of the ground right now,” Northey says. He says most of the crops got into the ground a little late and the heat will allow them to catch up, and also provide some good weather to spray to deal with weeds. Northey says he isn’t too worried about the delay in planting.
He says he’s not concerned at this point about a loss in yield and says if the weather is good from here on, then we have the opportunity for a great crop. The planting season go off to a very slow start with cold and wet weather, and then shot forward as dry weather allowed farmers to make up lots of time. Northey says everyone is glad things are finally in the ground and growing.
Northey says farmers are “breathing a sigh of relief” as the corn and soybeans pop through the ground and things are “looking good for this time of year.” You can see more about the crop progress on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at: www.IowaAgriculture.gov.