Southwest Iowa Crop Conditions

Most rivers in Northwest Iowa set record crests in late June, often by a wide margin over the old records. In Stalcup’s southwestern territory, this included the Little Sioux River which broke its previous crest by 2′ at Correctionville. The previous record crest went back to 1891. Flooding like we’ve never seen. Most crops in the flood plains are a total loss. Replanting beans can occur up to July 10th, but the outcome on such late planting is spotty.

Corn on rolling uplands, which is most of west-central Iowa, look good to excellent. Beans are slow-growing but that is not uncommon in wetter years. Pod development begins as daylight shortens, so the bean plant is tasked with adding vegetative growth and pod development this July. Most corn will pollinate in early to mid-July, for the most part, which is the normal time frame.

Crop prices tanked with USDA’s quarterly Grain Stocks and Acreage report. This report has been widely bashed in the industry, nonetheless, it sets and important mark for traders. A weather rally could occur in July or August, but late rallies are usually brief unless there’s a major drought underway. The eastern Corn Belt has extensive dryness at this time, but drought is nearly non-existent across the Corn Belt, except for Kansas.