A dry start with rain near the end of the week of July 26 allowed Iowa farmers five suitable days for fieldwork, according to the July 27 Iowa Crop & Weather report, although there were reports of crop stress because of the hot, dry weather and weed problems in soybeans.

“The continued pattern of rain showers and storms moving across the state means crops generally have plenty of moisture, which is not usually the case in late July,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “While there are certainly areas that have seen some crop damage due to the weather, in general, both corn and soybeans are in good condition across much of the state.”

State Meteorologist Harry Hillaker added, “The combination of heat and humidity pushed the heat index (what the air ‘feels like’) to 103 degrees at Sioux City on Friday (July 24) and 101 degrees at Davenport and Iowa City on Saturday.”

The report stated 83 percent of corn reached the silking stage or beyond, with 11 percent reaching the dough stage, and corn condition rated 83 percent good to excellent.

The report added soybeans were blooming or beyond, reaching 78 percent, with 37 percent setting pods, and soybean condition rated 76 percent good to excellent. Oat acreage turned color or beyond, reaching 96 percent, with 57 percent harvested for grain or seed.

Moreover, the first cutting of alfalfa hay neared completion, while the second cutting reached 68 percent and the third cutting was just getting started.

Although a recent USDA study cited herbicide resistance costs are ranging between $20-$60 or more per acre, Virgil Schmitt, Iowa State University field agronomist, said on July 28 “using resilient weed management programs may cost more than continuous use of glyphosate-based programs, but they may be less expensive than managing resistance once it occurs.”