What is Happening With Iowa Crops?

USDA released the latest Crop Progress report on Monday, June 16. Here’s a closer look at recent weather and the status of Iowa’s most important crops halfway through June.

Weather

“Strong storms swept through parts of northern Iowa last week, bringing hail that damaged some corn and soybean fields. Despite that unwelcomed severe weather, most of the state experienced a good mix of rain and seasonal temperatures that helped the crops progress,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “As summer officially arrives this week, forecasts are showing warmer-than-normal temperatures and continued chances of storms and widespread showers.”

Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan recapped the week’s weather in more detail. “Even though rainfall was widespread, weekly totals were still below normal for much of Iowa. Temperatures were generally near normal to a degree above normal for most of Iowa with a statewide average temperature of 70.2 degrees.”

The latest Crop Progress report rated Iowa topsoil moisture condition 5% very short, 22% short, 70% adequate, and 3% surplus.

Over the same period, Iowa subsoil moisture condition rated 7% very short, 29% short, 60% adequate, and 4% surplus.

The most recent maps, published June 12, indicate more than 12% of the state faced D1 moderate drought conditions. Over 67% of Iowa was abnormally dry.

Corn

Emergence Progress

According to USDA, 97% of Iowa’s corn had emerged by the week ended June 15. That’s equal to the five-year average. However, this year’s emergence is 3 percentage points ahead of this time last year.

Corn Condition

According to the USDA, at 21%, Iowa has the second-highest percentage of corn rated excellent, behind Pennsylvania. The remainder of Iowa’s corn was rated 63% good, 14% fair, and 2% poor.

This is better than the national averages for the week which were reported as 13% excellent, 59% good, 23% fair, 4% poor, and 1% very poor.

Agronomist Eric Wilson confirmed, “Corn overall looks really good.” He added, “Post applications and most sidedress applications are complete.”

Kelly Garrett farms in Crawford County on the western side of the state. “The early planted corn looks very nice,” he said. “It has all reached the nitrogen and is starting to cover the rows.”

Later planted corn is uneven and in the “ugly stage,” but Garrett is confident the crop will grow out of it in a week or so, he said.

Tar Spot

Iowa State University Extension confirmed the state’s first case of tar spot this season was observed in Poweshiek County on June 13. Extension Field Crops Pathologist Alison Robertson noted this should not be a surprise. In previous years, tar spot was observed on June 30, 2022; June 23 2023; and June 7, 2024.

“Despite reports of tar spot in Iowa and the Midwest in June the past four years, an application of a fungicide is usually unwarranted when corn is still in vegetative growth stages,” Robertson wrote. Research has shown that fungicide applications at VT to R3 have been the best timing to manage the disease, she said.

Soybeans

Planting Progress

USDA said 99% of Iowa soybeans have been planted. That is 1 percentage point ahead of the five-year average. Last year at this time 96% of Iowa soybeans had been planted.

Emergence Progress

The Crop Progress report said 93% of Iowa soybeans have emerged. This is 2 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Last year at this time 84% of the soybean crop in the state had emerged.

Soybean Condition

Iowa soybeans were rated 18% excellent, 62% good, 17% fair, 2% poor, and 1% very poor.

This is better than the national averages for the week which were reported as 10% excellent, 56% good, 27% fair, 5% poor, and 2% very poor.

Wilson said, “Soybeans have had a slow start, but are finally starting to come along” across his territory.

Garrett explained, “Early planted soybeans are off to a great start and going strong. The later planted is in a bit of an uneven, ugly stage,” He added heat “is the best medicine.”

Oats

According to the March 2025 Prospective Plantings report, Iowa farmers were expected to plant 60,000 acres of oats this season. That’s up 10,000 acres from 2024.

Emergence Progress

The Crop Progress report noted 99% of Iowa oats have emerged. That’s equal to the five-year average and last year at this time.

Oats Headed

At 69%, well over half the state’s oat crop has headed. That’s 8 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Last year at this time 72% of Iowa’s oats had headed.

Oat Condition

USDA rated Iowa oat condition 19% excellent, 65% good, 15% fair, and 1% poor. There were no Iowa oats rated very poor.

This is better than the national averages for the week which were reported as 9% excellent, 47% good, 28% fair, 10% poor, and 6% very poor.

Pasture and Range

Iowa pasture and range was rated 17% excellent, 52% good, 25% fair, 5% poor, and 1% very poor.

This is better than the national average for the week which were reported as 13% excellent, 33% good, 26% fair, 17% poor, and 11% very poor.