A representative from Iowa State University outlines the latest with the crops in central Iowa.

Central Iowa ISU Field Agronomist Meaghan Anderson describes that most of the soybeans in the state are beginning to bloom. She notes that warmer temperatures can have a negative effect on the crops, and speaks about the warm stretch Iowa had in June.

“We didn’t see a lot of stress showing up on these plants even though we were really hot, simply because we had other good conditions for the crops that allowed it not to be as stressed out, and so I don’t really think we saw much of a problem from that.”

Anderson mentions that it can be problematic if Iowa stops receiving moisture during the reproduction stage that the crops are currently in. She illustrates that the crops within Dallas County are looking great, especially with all the recent rain.

“Overall, I think the crops look pretty darn excellent considering how we started this growing season across the county. Corn, it seems like it looks much better than soybeans this time of year as we’re sort of waiting eagerly for these soybeans to close their rows like we saw corn do several weeks ago. I think things look pretty good overall, we’ve got good moisture going into reproductive stages.”

Anderson predicts that the crops will continue to develop throughout the month of July, seeing more even tassels and start the pollination process. She suggests that people should be on the lookout for disease and insect pressure at this time.