Corn and soybeans are continuing to progress through the growing season as we enter the month of July.

Landus Cooperative Field Agronomist Zach Minnihan says corn is starting to show 10-12 leaves on the stalks, with the next major phase having the crop tassel by the end of this month. Minnihan notes that soybeans are starting to show flowers on the plant. While some counties in west central Iowa, including Greene, haven’t had much rainfall recently, Minnihan believes both crops are still doing very well.

“We haven’t really been crazy hot yet either and allowing at least the corn crop at night to cool down too. So that’s saving it from a real drought-stricken stress. Another thing that’s helping through these dry conditions is having a really good root structure underneath these plants too. You’re all of six-to-seven-feet down and so it’s got the full soil profile that’s tapping into water and nutrients too.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Crop Progress and Condition Report, the majority of topsoil moisture levels were rated 81-percent adequate and most of the subsoil moisture levels were rated 85-percent adequate. Corn was rated 85-percent good to excellent across the state, and soybeans were rated 83-percent good to excellent.