Variable precipitation across Iowa resulted in 4.3 suitable days for fieldwork last week, according to the latest Crop Progress and Condition Report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The days suitable ranged from just 1.6 days in southeast Iowa to 5.3 days in the north central area, with field activities including hauling grain, applying fungicides and insecticides, and harvesting hay and oats. Producers reported crops responded well to recent rains while indicating that more rain is needed. Corn silking or beyond reached 60%, one day ahead of the five-year average, and corn in the dough stage reached 6%, three days ahead of normal. Iowa’s corn condition rated 68% good to excellent. Seventy-five percent of soybeans were blooming, six days ahead of the five-year average. Thirty percent of soybeans were setting pods, four days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 66% good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 45% good to excellent. Some livestock producers were supplementing hay where grass is short, and there were scattered reports of pinkeye in calves.