As consistent rain continues to stay away from the Raccoon Valley Radio-listening area, it could potentially impact crop yields as they begin to show signs of stress. 

The latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report shows that limited rain allowed for 6.1 days of suitable fieldwork last week and Dallas County Extension Field Agronomist Meaghan Anderson says she feels the subsoil moisture was replenished during the cool and wet spring but with the lack of moisture it’s something to be on the lookout for as the subsoil and topsoil moisture conditions continue toward drier conditions.

“It is something that we need to be wary of that these crops are going to start showing some stress and it’s not the best time of year to be doing that I would much rather be seeing some stress in June and then get rainfall in time for our reproductive growth stages in corn and soybeans and we are not really seeing that this year.”

Anderson tells Raccoon Valley Radio some crops are already beginning to show signs of stress which could potentially have impacts on yield later this season as soybeans may begin to drop flowers or abort pods. Anderson talks about the impacts on corn. 

“In corn we are sort of in the thick of pollination timeframe right now and so stress during this timeframe can result in poor pollination and then it can result in aborted kernels. So, definitely stress during this time can have long lasting effects as far as yield later in the season.”

The crop condition report shows that statewide the corn condition rating is 80-percent good to excellent and soybeans are sitting at 75-percent good to excellent.