Southeast Iowa Crop Conditions

Last week’s warmer temperatures were very beneficial to the young corn crop, even with considerable cloudiness. This
week’s forecast is calling for mid to upper 70’s with sun. We should see much better looking corn by the end of the week.

Post emerge corn herbicide applications will begin this week southeast of Storm Lake. Most fields are not showing much
weed pressure but the application window may be short with more rain predicted for the second half of this week and corn
entering a stage of rapid growth.

Soybean planting is nearly complete except small areas that have received locally heavy rains during the last
two weeks. Some farms are being planted in less than ideal conditions just to get them in before the next rain.

USDA released their initial crop conditions report last Tuesday afternoon. They rate the US corn crop at 74% good
to excellent condition. Iowa and Illinois are leading the ratings at 79% and 80% good to excellent respectively.
Initial soybean conditions are scheduled to be released at 3:00 PM central time on Monday (June 1) afternoon.

Bird Flu is still making news and weighing hard on the local markets. The latest number released by USDA claims
42 million birds have been lost to the virus.