Southeast Iowa Crop Conditions

The weather pattern has shifted SE of Storm Lake over the last two weeks. Very hot, dry conditions have been replaced by lower temperatures, but still mostly dry. Forecast models have been predicting wide spread precipitation, which has been occurring, but the results have been disappointing. Amounts range from less than 0.1 to 1 inch spread over multiple events. With the lack of substantial rain, cooler temperatures have benefited the crops more than anything this week. It was becoming common sight to see corn fields showing drought and heat stress during the middle of the day to conserve moisture.Yield potential likely was lowered over the last two weeks on farms with marginal soils due to the lack of rain. Estimated year to date precipitation totals SE of Storm Lake range from 6.0’’ to 9.5’’. Further to the east and south have received the higher amounts. These totals are well below average. Carroll, Iowa for example averages 34.3 inches a year. Pictured below is the most recent drought monitor map of Iowa.

The encouraging part is the weather pattern is showing signs that it is trying to break from the dry rut we have been battling since 2020. Unfortunately with this shift, severe weather has come with it.Although, SE of Storm Lake has remained out of harm’s way to this point. Some of our friends Northwest and Southwest of Storm Lake were both hit with hail over the two weeks leaving producers to make difficult decisions on what their next move will be.

Despite the conditions, both corn and soybeans have been advancing well. Most corn today is 36 inches or taller and soybeans are 10 inches or taller. Just in the last week, soybeans have reached the R1stage meaning plants are beginning to bloom. Dry conditions likely haven’t impacted the soybean yield at this point. The down side of this weather is that they will likely be shorter plants. This leads to soybeans planted in 30 inch or wider row spacing being less likely to canopy thus creating chances of increased weed pressure.

The markets have seesawed lower by weather forecasts indicating substantial amounts of widespread rain over large areas of the corn-belt in the next week. To this point, forecasted rain in our area has generally been correct just in far less amounts than advertised. Expect the market to continue to make moves on future weather forecasts as we move into the heart of summer.