Southwest Iowa Crop Conditions

Rain on Saturday the 24th was good enough to buy some time, but that time is about out. Rain is forecast for tomorrow (4th) and we are all hoping for picnics and celebrations to be rained out. Crops show heat and drought stress in the afternoons, but rally overnight to put on a good appearance in the mornings yet. Without another good drink, that will also come to an end soon. Corn on corn and corn on alfalfa ground is taking it the worst, which is normal. Corn on beans that have good fertility history is holding in fairly well. However, corn uses up to 1/4” per day for most of July as it approaches pollination and grain fill. The subsoil cannot help this year, in most cases. This is the 4th year of dry to drought conditions across much of this area. Hybrids have great capacity to withstand weather stress anymore, but there is a limit. Unwrapping leaves around the tassels provides good indication of days until tasseling. Tasseling and pollination should be in full swing by the 10th to 15th for most fields.

Grain markets got a surprise with USDA’s June 30th report. Corn acres were increased, which is not terribly surprising with the good planting pace last spring. If more corn can be planted timely, this often occurs. Two million more corn acres were estimated to have been planted, just over 92 million in the US. The big surprise was 4 million fewer soybean acres, putting it at 83.5 million. Hence, corn prices crashed and bean prices jumped. With the big quarterly report behind us, the market will turn its attention back to the weather forecasts, the weekly crop progress reports, and the monthly Supply and Demand reports.

Have a happy July 4th. Maybe have a discussion with your family about our nation’s founding.