Most Iowa Corn Ahead of Schedule; Derecho, Wet Soil Damage Some Crops

By Cami Koons

Corn across Iowa is a couple of days ahead of schedule, with 53% of corn acres reaching the dough stage and 9% entering the dent stage, according to the latest Crop Progress and condition report from the USDA.

Eighty-nine percent of soybean acres have bloomed and 65% have set pods, as of the July 28–Aug. 3 reporting period. 

Both crops continue to rate well, with 85% of corn and 80% of soybeans graded good to excellent. 

LaVon Griffieon, who runs a diversified operation with her family outside Ankeny, a suburb north of Des Moines, said conditions have been “nice” this year. 

“But the problem is, it’s nice all the way from Nebraska to Indiana,” Griffieon said. “It’s going to be hard to market this much corn.” 

USDA figures compiled by the National Corn Growers Association show an estimated 5% more corn in the ground this year than last, meaning the crop this year is on track to be the “largest on record.” 

The USDA also projects a $4.20 per bushel farm price for corn in the 2025/2026 marketing year, which is down from this year and the previous year.

Hay and pasture continue to rate well across the state. Both rated more than 80% good to excellent for the reporting period. 

Most farmers have wrapped up the second cutting of alfalfa hay; 39% of alfalfa hay acres have had a third cutting. Sixty-four percent of oats have been harvested. 

Soil moisture conditions were similar to the prior week, with 31% of topsoil and 27% of subsoil rated surplus for the reporting period. 

According to State Climatologist Justin Glisan, Iowa continued to see above-average precipitation, with parts of the state receiving 1–3 inches above the normal. 

A derecho swept through parts of northern and eastern Iowa July 28, with wind speeds up to 99 mph recorded. According to Glisan’s report, two “spin-up” tornadoes — those that developed quicker than usual — in the same storm damaged some crops in Lyon County. 

Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, Palo Alto and Worth counties to help with damages. 

Later in the week, temperatures dropped to 5–10 degrees below average and smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted across the state, causing hazy skies and degraded air quality.

The average precipitation for the week was 2.18 inches, more than double the normal, according to Glisan. The average temperature for the week was 71°F, 1.5 degrees below normal.

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