Northwest Iowa Crop Conditions

Weather during the last half of August has been beneficial to crops. The majority of NW Iowa received 2 to 4
inches of rain in the past 2 weeks and temperatures were close to normal. Some areas were on the dry side prior
to this rain. Crops should be in good shape now with soil moisture as the season is winding down. The best
weather now is normal temps and lots of sunshine.

Corn is toward the end of dough stage or in the dent stage. The kernels will soon begin drying from the top of the cob down. The number of kernels per ear are set, but the kernel weight is still being determined. Stress or early frost will cause corn to mature early and reduce weight. The biggest problems we are seeing in corn fields are variable ear size, variable population/stand, ear tip back, and nitrogen deficiency. Most of these problems were caused earlier this spring. We expect to have much more yield variability this year compared to last. There will be some good yields and some not so good.

Soybeans look very good. The last two weeks reminds me a lot of the weather we had last August, and soybean
yields were outstanding last year. However, yields are not yet determined. The pods especially at the tops of
plants are still developing. Trying not to get too optimistic.

Good export sales have helped the bean prices recently, but corn prices continue to struggle. Crop conditions
nationwide continue to be very good according to the USDA