Crop Updates from Iowa Corn Leaders – Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Strong storms rolled across the state yesterday causing isolated crop and property damage. The storms brought some needed moisture and even too much rain in some northern locations.

According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service, almost the entire corn crop emerged, 63 percent are rated good, and 20 percent rated excellent. Ninety-five percent of the soybean acreage has emerged. Soybean conditions are rated 61 percent good, and 18 percent excellent.

Roger Zylstra of Lynnville, president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, had three-quarters of an inch of rain last night which was needed. He did not have any building damage, however, he was in the fields this morning assessing wind damage to the crops. He’s checking to see if any corn was blown over or even broken off. He’ll be checking for damage to his soybeans as well but is still happy to have received the rain. He hadn’t had any precipitation in more than a week.

Carl Jardon of Randolph missed the storms yesterday. He received some rain Saturday night/Sunday morning. The crops continue to look really good without any weed or disease issues. The forecast calls for heat and humidity the rest of the week which will continue to help the crops grow. Jardon’s hoping they don’t experience any bad storms.

Corn in north central Iowa today after heavy rains and wind  occurred yesterday.

Bob Bowman of DeWitt, president of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, had strong storms about 4 a.m. this morning in eastern Iowa. Several neighbors and farms across Clinton County had wind damage. Several hoop barns, a silo, cattle shed and machine sheds blew over. There wasn’t a tornado but winds that reached 70 mph. Some of Bowman’s corn was blown over. The rain was very welcomed but they didn’t need the wind damage. Before the rain, the crops were very dry. The corn even looked stressed in some dry areas.

Nick Leibold of New Hampton had rain last night but did not have the strong wind damage. He only had a few tree branches down. The rain was welcomed as the crops were starting to look distressed. Everyone in the area has completed their spraying. The warmer temperatures this week will help the crops but storms are predicted as well.