Southeast Iowa Crop Conditions

Farms Southeast of Storm Lake are finally receiving some relief from the recent hot and dry weather we have
experienced for most of July. A very nice rain and cooler temps this week will help stabilize our corn and soybean
crops from any further heat stress damage and yield loss although lighter soils with less water holding capacity
have already seen significant production losses.

Corn is currently in the early reproductive stages. Most fields have finished pollination and have entered into the
grain filling stages. Additional rain will be needed during this stage to help the plants fill the as many kernels as
possible.

Soybeans are going to be short this season but plant height does not have a correlation to overall yield. The
biggest problem seen with small soybean plants is the lack of row canopy putting additional demand on herbicides
to control weed pressure. Luckily the lack of rain has also helped keep weed pressure from becoming a major
issue this year.

Markets continue to be volatile. Ever changing weather forecasts continue to control the market as the ultimate
wild card of mother nature reminds us all who is in charge. 2017 seems to be a year of the haves and have-nots.
A large portion of Northwest Iowa is very dry but other parts of the corn belt are soggy.

Here is a map showing July precipitation compared to average.