Northwest Iowa Crop Conditions

Weather continues to be non-threatening to crops. Temperatures are running normal, and most areas in our
Northwest region received a nice rain over the weekend. Crops are in very good condition and are on schedule to
reach maturity on time.

Corn has just reached the milk stage. The kernels are yellow on the outside and milky white fluid on the inside.
The number of kernels are now set but not size or weight. Corn kernels are growing rapidly in this stage, so good
weather now will still increase yield this fall. There may be a few growers still spraying fungicides, insecticides, or foliar fertilizers, but that time is quickly coming to an end. It will be up to mother nature from here.

Soybeans are rapidly filling pods while making some new pods. The soybeans are almost to their maximum
height. This is an important stage in determining yield. The biggest pest right now is the soybean aphid. Last
week aphid numbers in our area increased dramatically. Many fields will be sprayed this week with an insecticide.

A warm and drier forecast is helping the grain markets push a little higher recently after falling in late July.