There is more activity for farmers due to the lack of rains in the state of Iowa.

Dallas County Iowa State University Extension Field Agronomist Meaghan Anderson tells Raccoon Valley Radio that farmers are in the middle of the spray season mentioning that herbicide on corn is finished. She explains that the drier weather is working in the farmer’s favor with the roots having time to grow more efficiently by setting in deeper in the soil. Anderson emphasizes that with the temperatures increasing, the crops will be exposed to more sun, but reveals some issues that will come with it.

“Disease issues and insect issues are top of mind, especially as we close the book on our herbicide applications and turn our eyes towards the crop really taking off this summer, so we’ll see some really rapid growth in the corn, a lot of height gained over the next few weeks. And then probably around the 4th of July or shortly after, we may even see some tassels coming out on our corn.”

Anderson highlights that the corn in Dallas County has greened up within the last week. She points out that the crops in the early part of May were slow growing with the heavier moisture, but they are greening up with flowers forming on the soybeans. According to the latest Crop Progress Report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture, about 89% of corn has been planted across the state, which is nine days behind last year. About 75% of soybeans statewide have been planted, and is nine days behind last year at this time.