Some much-needed rain fell in Sanborn on both Saturday and Sunday, providing respite from the dry conditions. Officially, Sanborn received a total of 1.51 inches of precipitation over the weekend but there were reports of over two inches falling in some areas of the community. Lake Park reported a total of 4.10 inches of rain during the two days.
“The rain is going to help the corn,” stated Ben Van Beek, Agronomist at Farmers Coop Society. “It will help prevent aborting of kernels at the tip of the ear and help with test weight.” Van Beek also noted the benefit to the soybean crop. “It will help with pod fill, putting out more flowers which will lead to more pods,” said the Agronomist. “It was a nice rain.”
The Iowa Drought Monitor map released just prior to the rainfall showed conditions in the immediate Sanborn area ranged from D0 (abnormally dry) to D2 (severe drought). Area’s of extreme drought were shown in nearby Plymouth, Sioux, Cherokee and Woodbury counties.
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service released its latest Iowa Crop and Progress Condition report on Monday. In northwest Iowa, topsoil moisture condition rated 31 percent very short, 29 percent short, 38 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 33 percent very short, 35 percent short, 31 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Statewide, corn silking or beyond was 97 percent, five days behind last year and three days behind the five-year average. Fifty-three percent of the corn crop has reached the dough stage or beyond, two days behind last year but one day ahead of the average. Five percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the dent stage, six days behind last year and one day behind the five-year average.
Corn condition fell to 73 percent good to excellent, statewide. Eighty-nine percent of the state’s soybeans were blooming, nine days behind last year and three days behind average. Sixty-nine percent of the soybean crop was setting pods, one week behind last year and one day behind the five-year average. Iowa’s soybean condition declined to 71 percent good to excellent.
Ninety-five percent of the state’s second cutting of alfalfa hay was complete, with the third cutting at 28 percent. All hay condition rated 54 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 36 percent good to excellent. Lack of rain and high heat caused some pastures to go dormant and CRP was released for grazing and haying in areas.