AMES, Iowa — A shortage of rainfall throughout most of the state is drying up pastures, corn, soybeans and reducing hay production. Daryl Herzmann, Iowa State agricultural meteorologist, said Iowa's rainfall in August was three inches behind normal. "We haven't had statewide rainfalls all summer. We're six inches behind in central Iowa and it's worse in southern Iowa," Herzmann said. "There's a 50-mile swath to the east and west of Webster City that has had adequate rainfall but the rest of the state has some really dry spots." Mike Owen, Iowa State weed scientist, said most of the damage has been done and there isn't much producers can do for crops. If the drought continues, he said, farmers should begin planning for next spring. "If this does continue we need to look at tillage, fertility, date of planting and other general agronomic considerations," Owen said. Along with dry weather, soybean aphids have caused additional problems for producers. "It's just made a bad situation worse," Owen said. Steve Barnhart, Iowa State forage specialist, said the dry conditions have reduced hay harvests, pasture productivity and caused corn to mature prematurely. He said pastures and newly seeded meadows have suffered the most damage. "Producers should let alfalfa fields and pastures rest this fall. If you take care of those fields now they will respond better next spring," Barnhart said. An informational paper on pasture management and forage strategies during drought conditions can be found at https://www.agron.iastate.edu/department/news/. Additional information can be found on the Iowa Beef Center's web page at https://www.iowabeefcenter.org/.
Drought Conditions Stress Iowa Crops
August 28, 2003