Posted 23 July, 2025
Iowa had 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 20, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Heavy rain was received in portions of the state. Field activities during the week included fungicide spraying, cutting hay and harvesting oats.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 5 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 21 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 9 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus.
Corn silking reached 62 percent, 1 day behind last year’s pace. Eighteen percent of Iowa’s corn has reached the dough stage. Corn condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 11 percent fair, 59 percent good and 27 percent excellent. Sixty-nine percent of soybeans had bloomed, 1 day ahead of last year, but 1 day behind normal. Thirty-three percent of soybeans were setting pods, 4 days ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of the five-year average. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 59 percent good and 21 percent excellent. Eighty-three percent of oats were turning color and 35 percent of oats have been harvested for grain. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 68 percent good and 16 percent excellent.
The second cutting of alfalfa hay was 79 percent complete while 17 percent of the third cutting has been completed. Hay condition rated 86 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 79 percent good to excellent.