Because of varying amounts of precipitation, some areas of Iowa had fewer than three days suitable for fieldwork, while others had more than six days during the week ending Aug. 10, according to the Aug. 11 Iowa Crop & Weather report.

"The state saw spotty precipitation last week and the rains were mostly welcomed by farmers," said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. "Those who missed out on the recent rains would welcome some precipitation to help finish both the corn and bean crop."

State Meteorologist Harry Hillaker said temperature extremes varied from afternoon highs of 89 degrees at Rock Rapids on Aug. 3 and Des Moines that Monday, to a morning low of 51 degrees at Cresco on Aug. 7.

The report said more than half of Iowa’s corn was in the dough stage or beyond, more than two weeks ahead of 2013, with 7 percent reaching the dent stage and 76 percent reported in good to excellent condition.

The report also stated more than three-quarters of soybeans was setting pods or beyond, with 75 percent in good to excellent condition. Oat harvest for grain was 87 percent complete. Moreover, the second cutting of alfalfa hay was 93 percent complete, with the third cutting advancing to 22 percent complete.

Erin Hodgson, Iowa State University extension entomologist, said soybean aphids are on the rise in Iowa. "Several notable infestations have been reported recently, particularly in north-central Iowa," she said. "Scouting to determine population densities is strongly encouraged.

"Fields that have a fairly uniform infestation with low densities (e.g., 50 percent of plants infested with an average of 40 aphids per plant) should be closely monitored in August."