Iowa farmers have reported corn silking, soybeans setting pods and oats being harvested for grain for the week ending July 12, according to the Iowa Crop & Weather report.

“In general, much of the crop remains in good to excellent condition across the state,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “Unfortunately, there are some wet spots and other crop damage from the wet weather seen in June.

“Just a reminder that now is a good time for farmers to evaluate and consider any additional conservation practices needed on their farm. Funds are currently available for farmers interested using cover crops or other practices to protect water quality.”

State Meteorologist Harry Hillaker said unseasonably cool weather prevailed until the weekend, when much warmer and more humid air returned to the state.

The crop report stated 17 percent of corn reached the silking stage, with 82 percent rated good to excellent. Soybeans blooming or beyond reached 40 percent, with some reports of setting pods, with soybean condition rated 78 percent good to excellent.

Nearly all of the state’s oats were headed or beyond, with oat acreage turning color, reaching 69 percent, and 13 percent already harvested, the report said. The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 40 percent.

Clarke McGrath, on-farm research and extension coordinator at the Iowa Soybean Research Center in Harlan, said northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) has been showing up – and farmers need to scout weekly.

“While most of the time the hybrid ratings are pretty accurate, sometimes genetics just haven’t been exposed to a high enough disease load to know exactly how resistant they may be,” he explained, “so even if you have genetics out there that are rated pretty well against NCLB, keep an eye on them.”