Area Crops Show Stress Due To Lack Of Rain

(Le Mars) — The latest weekly crop condition report showed some deterioration with Iowa’s crops due to the continued dry weather.  The region’s crops are showing signs of stress, and as a result, yields are likely to be lower come harvest time.  Iowa State University Extension and Outreach crops specialist for northwest Iowa, Joel DeJong says corn may be
especially hurt due to the continued dry conditions.

“DeJong, Joel”

De Jong says any rain will help the crops, but for some corn, it may be too little and too late.  DeJong says corn at the pollination and silking stage requires an additional moisture demand.

The Iowa State University crops specialist says the cooler temperatures of this past week have helped reduce the stress on our crops, allowing for less moisture demand, however, rain is still needed.  DeJong says the soybean crops are beginning to bloom and some are even setting some pods, but soybeans, although some yield reduction may occur, are able to
hang on a little longer than the corn in waiting for needed rains. DeJong says soybeans high moisture demand comes later than corn.

DeJong says some farmers are looking to begin cutting their corn for silage since little grain has developed on the corn ears.