Northwest Iowa Crop Conditions

Drought conditions worsened across many areas including Northwest Iowa which is now in “Moderate to Severe Drought” as classified by the U.S. Drought Monitor. Plymouth, Cherokee, and Buena Vista Counties in NW Iowa are the hardest hit in our area and are classified in Severe Drought. These areas are 6 or more inches below average rainfall for the season. Other areas nearby have been getting more rain but are still too dry. Temperatures remain below average, which is big positive for crops in this situation.

Corn is well into its grain fill stage. Weather conditions can still impact yield up or down, but to a lesser degree as
time ticks away. Corn yields have been reduced by the drought conditions, but we expect to see high variability.
Farms with lighter soils have lost the most yield potential, but other farms have held up surprisingly well.

Soybeans are smaller than normal because of a slow start and drought stress. Favorable conditions through the end of August could make up for part of the damages. Soybeans will finish making and filling pods over the next two weeks or so.

The grain markets fell last week when USDA surprised the market with their August Crop Report because of a much smaller than expected reduction of yield estimates. Maybe the reduction will come in the September or later after harvest, but for now USDA is estimating another relatively large national crop with high ending stocks for corn and soybean.