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A bountiful, near record corn and bean crop is expected this year, thanks in most part to those timely rains this summer and significant heating when needed.
What farmers most have to be worrying about is that rogue thunderstorm that dumps hail wiping out entire fields, like what happened in northern Iowa earlier in August. Or some disease concerns such as gray leaf spot, which cropped up in late July in some corn fields in southwest Iowa.
Kyle Jensen, Southwest Iowa Extension Crops Specialist, said gray leaf spot is "the most yield limiting for corn," caused by a fungus, but is susceptible to certain fungicides. The spread also could slow if it dries up, minimizing the effect of the disease.
Soybeans are dealing with soybean aphids, although they are at very low levels through the end of July.
Rainfall has been widespread during the month of August, and remains above average for the entire year. To date in August, Shelby County has received more than three inches of rain, compared to the average of approximately two and a half inches. For the year Shelby County has received more rainfall than average, officials said.
State officials said it's hard to predict what the harvest season will bring as the summer has been far from normal. Near record low temperatures are followed by days of above-average heat, and a short dry spell is followed by weeks of on and off rain.
The forecast for this week calls for above normal temperatures through Tuesday followed by rain on Tuesday night through Thursday and cooler temperatures. Next week is expected to be cooler but turning warmer by the Labor Day weekend.
