Corn Assessment Shows 59% in Excellent or Good Condition
Iowa's agricultural landscape continues to thrive, with corn, soybeans, oats, and alfalfa hay conditions generally good and progressing slightly ahead of prior years.
As of early August 2025, corn silking has reached 84 percent, with 53 percent at the dough stage and 9 percent at the dent stage. This progress is 2 days ahead of last year and the 5-year average. The corn condition is rated mostly good to excellent, with 85 percent combined.
Soybeans are 81 percent in bloom and 52 percent setting pods. This progress is 4 days ahead of last year, though 1 day behind the average. Soybean condition is also predominantly good to excellent, with 80 percent combined.
Oats are nearly all turning colour, with 64 percent harvested for grain. Forty-nine percent of the oat crop has been harvested, slightly ahead compared to late July. Ninety-five percent of the oats are turning colour.
The second cutting of alfalfa hay is 93 percent complete, with 28 percent of the third cutting already completed. The condition of alfalfa hay in Iowa is rated at 86 percent good to excellent.
Pasture conditions remain strong at 81 percent good to excellent.
Recent weeks have seen limited fieldwork due to wet and windy conditions, but overall crop progress remains steady or slightly ahead compared to 2024 and five-year averages. Soil moisture is abundant, with most areas rated adequate to surplus, although some low-lying areas faced crop damage or standing water, especially for grazing acres in north-central Iowa.
Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig predicts that preliminary estimates indicate July could rank among the top ten wettest on record.
The latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report was released by the USDA on Monday. Despite the challenges, Iowa's crops are developing on pace or slightly ahead compared to previous years.
- The local weather in Iowa has been favorable for agriculture, with the latest weather update showing no significant changes that could negatively affect the crop progress.
- In the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA on Monday, it was revealed that the KMCH radio station's agricultural news has consistently reported progress in the Iowa agriculture landscape, with most crops slightly ahead compared to 2024 and five-year averages.
- Iowa's agricultural growth is not restricted to corn, soybeans, and oats; even the local alfalfa hay is rated at 86 percent good to excellent, according to the Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig.
