Mostly dry conditions throughout the week ending Aug. 16 allowed Iowa farmers nearly six suitable days for fieldwork, according to the Iowa Crop & Weather report.

“The recent heat is helping crops continue to mature,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “Generally, things look pretty good across the state, with 82 percent of corn and 77 percent of soybeans rated as good to excellent condition.”

The report, however, stated some farmers reported crops showing stress due to the dry weather, as well as signs of sudden death syndrome (SDS) in soybean fields.

On Aug. 19, Jerry Broders, eastern Iowa regional sales manager for Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, said “crops in the nose of Iowa and western Illinois” continue to show signs of stress from shallow roots and lack of moisture.

“The crop has done well for the conditions it has been through this year,” he noted. “I have had reports of SDS in the Aurora area and west and north, resulting from cold soil temperatures at planting, followed by subsequent cold weather. The only pest pressure I’ve seen in the area is from aphids, and a few fields were sprayed around the Stanwood area.”

The report said 74 percent of corn reached the dough stage or beyond, with 14 percent dented or beyond. The report stated 84 percent of soybeans were setting pods and gave a few reports of soybeans starting to turn color, with 97 percent of oats for grain or seed harvested.

After spending three weeks lagging behind last year, the second cutting of alfalfa hay was equal to 2014, with 95 percent complete, the report read. The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 45 percent complete, and hay condition rated 66 percent good to excellent.