While some areas in Iowa the week of Aug. 29-Sept.5 reported rain coming with high winds and hail, corn silage harvest continued and seed corn was being harvested.

“Much of the state received needed rain (two weeks ago) that was beneficial for the bean crop, but unfortunately, at times, were accompanied by severe weather that did cause some additional crop damage,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “The crop continues to move quickly towards maturity and widespread harvest is probably just a couple of weeks away.”

According to the Sept. 6 Iowa Crop & Weather report, 96 percent of the corn had reached dough stage, 86 percent was at or beyond the dent stage and 14 percent was mature, with corn condition standing at 6 percent very poor to 11 percent excellent.

The report also stated 16 percent of soybean fields were turning color, with leaves dropping in scattered fields across Iowa; soybean condition was at 4 percent very poor to 14 percent excellent. Third-cutting alfalfa hay harvest advanced to 85 percent complete.

Jim Fawcett, Iowa State University extension field agronomist, said his county areas have had few insect and disease problems in soybeans, which should improve yields.

“It’s amazing the difference a year makes as far as sudden death syndrome (SDS),” he said. “Last year, I couldn’t find any fields that did not have the disease, and this year, I can hardly find any fields that have the disease.”

Fawcett said this year’s later planting as well as less summer rainfall likely reduced the problem. But he cautioned “next year, most fields that had an SDS problem last year will be in beans again, so that will be something to watch out for.”

The last available report from NASS’ Kentucky field office noted beautiful, dry weather over the state. That report came before Tropical Storm Lee made its way into the Bluegrass State and left up to six inches of rain in the east and almost nothing in the far western section.

With that said, the rain came too late for the corn crop to reap much benefit from it. As of the Aug. 29 report, Kentucky corn was rated 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 46 percent good, and 12 percent excellent.

Soybeans could be the winners from the late summer rains. The crop condition was rated as 2 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 44 percent good and 8 percent excellent.

Tobacco growers who had their crop in the barn were hoping for some rain to improve curing conditions. As of Aug. 29, 36 percent of the burley and 40 percent of the dark tobacco crop had been cut. These numbers are in line with last year’s figures and close to the five-year average.

The NASS report noted set tobacco condition was rated at 3 percent very poor, 11 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 41 percent good and 10 percent excellent, with no significant disease problems.

Thirsty crops took in a much-needed drink of water when the first significant rainfall in more than a month fell during the last day of the week ending Sept. 4.

According to NASS, the benefit from the rainfall will be reflected in the numbers for its next weekly crops report. In the meantime, numbers for corn and cotton remained in good-to-excellent condition.

Things weren’t as good, however, for soybeans and pastures across the state. Soybean crop conditions slipped this week, from 54 to 48 percent being in good-to-excellent condition. Almost half the state’s pastures were in very poor to poor condition, with 38 percent rated in fair condition and only 14 percent rated in good condition.

Soil conditions continued to tell the story of how rain has been needed in the state. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 41 percent very short, 44 percent short and 15 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 35 percent very short, 45 percent short and 20 percent adequate.

Temperatures remained 3-4 degrees above normal across the state, according to NASS, the National Weather Service and the University of Tennessee extension.

“Cropping situation is becoming critical. Lack of rain for the last month-and-a-half is causing yield reductions in all crops. Early-planted corn is probably the least affected by drought conditions. Cotton and beans are trying to fill bolls and pods, but lack of rainfall is seriously hampering yields. Rain is expected in the forecast and will hopefully offset drought conditions,” J.C. Dupree Jr., Lauderdale County extension agent, reported.

Jeff Lannom, Weakley County agent, said high temperatures and lack of rain in his county were taking their toll; a story that was repeated by several other agents across the state.

“Blazing hot! High temperatures and another week without precipitation are giving soybeans a ‘one-two’ punch. Corn harvest is in full swing,” he reported.

“Farmers are shelling corn all over the county, and low moisture content is influencing test weights. Some farmers have said that considering the low level of moisture during most of August, they’re pleased with yield. It’s not as good as it could have been, but it’s not as bad as it could have been,” said Mitchell Mote, agent for Rutherford County.

“Continued dry with seasonable temperatures. Again, no rain is really beginning to take its toll on pastures and soybeans. Farmers were busy this week, harvesting hay and corn; some feeding of hay was observed as pastures drying up,” Ed Burns of Franklin County reported.

However, by the night of Sept. 4, several agents had good news to tell. “Seriously dry conditions were relieved, with approximately five-plus inches of rain on Sunday,” Cynthia Zeitz of Jackson County reported.

“Received 7.5 inches of rain on Saturday and Sunday,” Joe E. Hall, Anderson County extension agent, added.

“Much-needed rain and cooler weather arrived Sunday afternoon,” reported Steve Harris, agent for Coffee County.