(Le Mars) — August temperatures have proven to be generally mild with daytime highs in the 70’s and lower 80’s. The temperatures may feel comfortable for us humans, but according to an Iowa State University crops specialist, warm temperatures and additional heat are needed to help our crops mature. Joel DeJong says we have been losing critical growing degree
units during August.
DeJong says the corn is starting to enter the dent stage, which is the first stage for maturity. He says it takes about 35 days under normal conditions for the corn to fully mature, which places the corn maturity at around early October. DeJong says soybeans are starting to fill their pods.
DeJong says it may be a race between the time the crops reach their full maturity, and when we get the first frost. The crops specialist says many of the crops appear to look good, it is just they are not at the stage of development that we would want to see at this time of year.
DeJong says he expects to see mediocre yields in northwest Iowa for both corn and soybeans.
