Tom Ruby’s apple orchard near Jamestown is emerging with young, healthy apples. Most of his pear trees are doing well, too. But like most growers in southwestern Ohio, rain to him would be a welcome sight.

“Just a few months ago most producers were concerned getting enough days in the field, but as we approach July we’re praying for a little more rain,” Ruby said. “I’ll survive during these hot, dry days, but others won’t fare as well.”

Apple growers report that 57 percent of orchards were in fair to good condition, with 39 percent reporting in with poor or extremely poor fruit.

“It all depends on where you live,” Ruby said. “Here in southwest Ohio we’ve had ample rain, but other areas of the state are in need of a few more showers.”

Although some parts of Ohio experienced a good amount of rain (southwestern Ohio reporting the most, with 10.76 inches since April 1) the northern and central portions of the state are experiencing drought conditions. Heat and dry weather last week alone has hampered the growth of corn, soybeans and hay. The heat has also put significant stress on livestock.

Heat has plagued Ohio’s soil across the state the past two weeks, as topsoil moisture was rated 31 percent very short, 44 percent short and just 24 percent adequate. For instance, corn was 76 percent in fair-to-good condition, down 2 percent from the previous week.

The combination of inadequate rainfall and above-average temperatures is creating stress conditions in most fields across Ohio. High temperatures are to blame in most cases. The average temperature in Ohio was 76.8 degrees, 6.1 degrees below normal, with precipitation 0.27 inch below normal.

As of June 24, 2 percent of corn was silked. The soybean crop was 8 percent blooming. Seventy-two percent of winter wheat was ripe, compared to 7 percent last year. Winter wheat was 20 percent harvested and the oat crop was 96 percent headed; 15 percent of that crop was ripe and just 2 percent has been harvested.

Soybeans were 74 percent in fair to good condition, down 2 percent from the previous week. Forty-five percent of peaches were rated in fair to good condition, down 6 percent from the previous week.

Even with most of the state receiving rain the week of June 18-25, there are areas still in need of moisture, according to the June 26 Iowa Crop & Weather report.

“With over half the state short on moisture in the topsoil and subsoil, we are going to need regular rainfall throughout the growing season,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.

The report said topsoil moisture levels were 14 percent very short, with east-central Iowa listed as the driest, at 78 percent of the topsoil moisture rated short to very short.

“I’m concerned about this season’s soybean crop,” said Shannon Latham, vice president of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds in Alexander, in her June 27 crop report. “Dry topsoil at planting and additional stress from poor planting depth, and soil and field conditions, has really hurt soybean stands in my area.

“Final stands of 100,000 to 120,000 plants per acre are going to require some good management decisions for the rest of this season.”

The report added that conditions for all crops improved slightly for the week, but spraying was limited as “windy conditions prevailed most of the week.” It said corn silking was reported in every district except north-central Iowa, with 8 percent of soybeans blooming. Ninety-eight percent of oats have headed, with 35 percent turning color.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay is 54 percent complete, and for the third straight week, less than half of Iowa’s pasture and rangeland is rated in good to excellent condition, the report added.

A June 27 University of Kentucky weather synopsis warned that dry weather in the state is likely to continue to be a problem in coming weeks. Further, hot and humid conditions are expected to expand and intensify into July, with a concern for the health of animals and people.

Jerry Griffith farms 3,000 acres of corn and soybeans in Graves County in western Kentucky. He is worried about the lack of subsoil moisture because of abnormally dry conditions this winter and the lack of rain in the spring. He expects he might lose 50 percent of his yield to dry weather.

He said, “The severe conditions that we’re expecting right now are not ideal for silks to maintain their moisture, and we’ve got winds, and heat and drought stress going on at the same time as pollination.”

The Kentucky Crop and Weather report released by the USDA June 25 reported that throughout the state corn and soybean are advanced for this time of year; however, both crops are stressed due to the lack of moisture.

The same report stated 50 percent of the corn was tasseling and 29 percent of it was silking. Soybeans in bloom were reported to be at the14 percent level, with the average height of soybeans reported at 12 inches.

Michael Smith, an ag extension agent in northwestern Henderson County, reported finding 1.5-inch soybean pods. “Not very many of them,” said Smith, “seven or eight per plant and trying, but apparently they are experiencing difficulties with setting pods.”

He said soybeans have a tendency to recover, but they can’t go on for the whole season.

The previously mentioned USDA report rated burley tobacco 96 percent set, and dark tobacco at 96 percent set. The five-year averages of for this date are 99 percent. The condition of the set tobacco was rated about 60 percent good or excellent.

Winter wheat has been mostly harvested, at 95 percent completion.