Below-average precipitation across much of Iowa caused a drop in soil moisture, especially in the northeast part of the state during the week ending Aug. 17, according to the Aug. 18 Iowa Crop & Weather report.

"Iowa saw some spotty precipitation again last week, but significant parts of the state have missed some of the recent rainfalls and are reaching the point where some moisture is needed," said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. "Crop conditions in much of the state remain very good – especially in areas that have received some timely rainfall."

State Meteorologist Harry Hillaker added, "Little, if any, rain fell across the northeast one-third of Iowa this past week, where some locations have not had a substantial rain event since late June."

The report said three-quarters of corn was in the dough stage or beyond, 16 days ahead of last year, and 16 percent in the dent stage, with three-quarters in good to excellent condition. The report also stated 88 percent of soybeans set pods or beyond, with 73 percent in good to excellent condition.

Moreover, oat harvest for grain was 97 percent complete. The second cutting of alfalfa hay was 95 percent complete, with the third cutting at 36 percent.

Joel DeJong, Iowa State University extension field agronomist in upper northwestern Iowa, said while the corn is lagging behind what he considered "normal," the soybeans "look about right on time.

"I did observe some June replant soybean fields that were still at the R-3 to early R-4 stage," he said. "Those have a long way to go. An early frost could really be damaging to those fields."