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With virtually no rain in the Panora - Guthrie Center corridor the past month, the drought situation is becoming more and more noticeable.
Corn stalks are firing and soybean fields are beginning to show stress.
The level of Lake Panorama is down nearly 4-1/2 inches and water trickles over Lenon Mill dam. Below, the dam the Middle Raccoon River is about ankle deep.
Monday, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said the topsoil moisture level is 71 percent very short, 25 percent short, 4 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture dropped to 67 percent very short, 29 percent short, 4 percent adequate, and 0 percent surplus.
Ninety-seven percent of the corn crop is silking, ahead of last year's 86 percent and the five-year average of 77 percent. Sixty-five percent of the corn crop has reached the milk stage. Thirty-six percent of the corn crop has reached dough stage, two weeks ahead of normal. Eight percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage, the most advanced the crop has been at the end of July since 1987. Corn condition is reported at 18 percent very poor, 28 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 19 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Ninety-three percent of the soybean crop has bloomed, ahead of last year's 88 percent and the five-year average of 85 percent. Pods are being set on 57 percent of the soybean crop, ahead of last year's 43 percent and the five-year average of 47 percent. Soybean condition is rated 12 percent very poor, 22 percent poor, 41 percent fair, 24 percent good, and 1 percent excellent.
Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, said most of Iowa saw some rain during last week, however, locations such as Atlantic, Audubon, Harlan and Guthrie Center were left dry. As of Wednesday, Audubon had 39 consecutive days without measurable (0.01 inch or more) rainfall.
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©Guthrie Center Times 2013
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