Southeast Iowa Crop Conditions

Both crops are nearing full maturity. Continued dry conditions were intensified by 90+ degree temperatures received over Labor Day weekend. Many farms southeast of Storm Lake last measurable rainfall was received in early August. Both crops are showing noticeable color change. Some of the color change is normal and some premature due to the hot/dry conditions. Farms that typically struggle during wet years likely will have good yields again this fall. Many of these farms have problem areas (potholes) with oversaturated soils that can be yield limiting will produce well and improve the overall field average. On the flipside, farm’s that are located on lighter soil types will struggle. Those lighter soil types have been showing up since July and have died prematurely compared to soil types with better water holding capacity. These areas of the farm will have stunted ears with poor kernel sets in corn and low pod counts in soybeans. In my travels southeast of Storm Lake, the kernel counts in the corn have been good overall with the exception of a few neighborhoods that have predominately lighter soil types or received less rainfall.