Crop ratings fall in drought

DES MOINES — Weekend rains were welcome — but the latest USDA report shows the drought impact is showing in Iowa’s crops.

Farmers reported the corn leaves curling and ground cracking in some areas of the state from the heat. The USDA report shows the corn condition is rated 56 percent good to excellent — a drop of seven percentage points from last week. Soybean emergence was 96 percent complete, one week ahead of the five-year average. The soybeans were rated at 57 percent good to excellent — which is a four percent drop from the prior week.

 Here in north-central Iowa, 96% of the soybeans have emerged with 4% blooming. There were 6.1 days suitable for field work locally last week. Topsoil moisture in north-central Iowa was 31% adequate, 39% short, and 30% very short. Subsoil moisture was 23% adequate, 54% short and 23% very short.