Southwest Iowa Crop Conditions

June has been warm with over half the days in early June hitting 90 or higher. However, the cool May weather has total heat units only a little ahead of normal. For the most part, moisture levels are good but hot, windy days sap it out pretty fast.Corn fields are now pretty well-shaded. Bean fields planted in narrow rows are fairly well covered and many are planted no-till so between plant vegetation and crop residue, the ground is well-covered. Corn spraying has wrapped up and early bean spraying is done. Post-emerge bean spraying will continue for a few weeks, then insecticides and fungicides will start being applied. Generally, we have a good set-up for high yields in this area. Root systems were challenged to go deeper during early June, which is always good.

Crop prices have struggled slightly higher but are mostly range-bound. Corn is give-or-take of $3.00/bushel. Beans have worked back into the $8.20 to $8.30 range. China buying in June has helped. Thepast few days have seen Brazil’s leadership take issue with China. Perhaps that will help the US sell them a few more beans.