Waiting for the wet

The situation is by no means dire, but local fields could use a drink.

"The corn is coming along pretty good, but where they're missing the rains, we're seeing slight leaf-curling," said Growmark FS agronomist Alic Mohni. "In places that have gotten the spotty rains, things are looking really good."

The latest drought monitor map for Iowa shows all of O'Brien County in moderate drought with Clay County basically the same – only a small sliver in the northeast corner was graded one spot better. According to ISU Extension agronomist Gentry Sorensen, dry conditions vary throughout his nine-county territory.

In the Spencer area, this year's precipitation totals are 0.07" over the 72-year average, while Spirit Lake's tally is 1.42" less.

"I am seeing some early indications of stress on the corn plants from the heat the last couple of days, with some leaf rolling," Sorensen said on Tuesday. "Some rainfall would benefit the corn and soybeans during its current growth stage."

Sorensen, who covers Clay County, reported corn is at the growth stage V6 to V7 with soybeans at the growth stage V2 to emergence. Some beans had to be replanted throughout the area last month.

"This was not every field but specific to field conditions at certain fields," he said. "In those certain fields, soybeans were not able to break through the crust formed after the rainfall, therefore requiring replanting of areas or thickening of stands to improve stands in soybean fields."

Mohni also reported some replanted soybean fields in eastern O'Brien County and western Clay County.

"Just this week I kind of feel like beans are coming on a little bit better," he said.

The latest crop update report from the USDA noted nearly all planting activities have wrapped up across the state. Most fieldwork is focused on cutting hay and spraying emerging crops.

Corn emergence has reached 94 percent, one week ahead of last year and eight days ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition declined 5 percentage points to 72 percent good to excellent.

Ninety-eight percent of Iowa's expected soybean crop has been planted, 10 days ahead of last year and two weeks ahead of normal. Eighty-seven percent of soybeans have emerged, 10 days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the average. Soybean condition rated 70 percent good to excellent.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 13 percent very short, 42 percent short, 44 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 12 percent very short, 41 percent short, 46 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

"Hopefully we catch some spotty rains. Where it is raining they're getting good amounts, but it's real small areas," said Mohni. "Stands are good, so if we can catch some rains we have some pretty good potential this year. Time will tell."