Southeast Iowa Crop Conditions

Weather the last couple weeks has been mostly non- threatening. Most areas to the southeast of Storm Lake
received good rain over the weekend, but some areas had locally heavy amounts up to 5 inches. Most crops are
in good shape and should mature on time.

Corn has reached the milk stage. Corn kernels are now yellow and filled with a white milk-type substance.
Number of kernels has now been determined, but size and weight could still fluctuate depending on weather and
other factors like disease. Fungicide and insecticide applications in corn have been completed. We have now
done what we can do in determining yield. The rest is up to mother nature.

Soybeans are mostly done growing and are now focusing on filling pods and putting on more pods. Many fields in
our southeast territory have started seeing growing numbers of soybeans aphids. Some fields have already been
treated with insecticides and others are being watched closely to be sure aphid populations are not increasing.

The drier forecast has allowed the grain markets to recover during the last week. Today (Monday) the market is up
significantly (+13 cents in corn and +30 cents for soybeans). The USDA releases the first estimate of 2015 crop
yields and an updated grains balance sheet on Wednesday. Reductions in national yields are expected by most
traders.