(Atlantic) The severe drought conditions in portions of southwest and western Iowa have been put on the back burner as farmers welcome the dry weather for harvest, but moving forward the lack of soil moisture will lead to some challenges.
Aaron Saeugling is the Southwest Iowa Field Agronomist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Saeugling says surprisingly higher than expected yields are coming out of some of these drought-stricken fields.
Saeugling says soybean yields are rolling out at around 35-45 bushels per acre. While the corn harvest is on hold in many cases, Saeugling believes yields will surpass the 2012 crop year, which is the most recent drought historically. He anticipates 130-to-160 bushels per acre might catch much of the corn in the dryer areas of the region.
Saeugling says the dry conditions persist from Highway 92-north. Moisture levels improve between Highway 92 and Highway 34, and between Highway 34 and Highway 2, soil moisture conditions are even better, which should start reflecting in higher yields in those areas of the state.
According to the latest Southwest Iowa Climate Division, Greenfield, Atlantic, and Audubon are the driest areas compared to the other locations on the southwest Iowa map. Atlantic has received just 11.83 inches of rain since April 1, 12-inches below normal. Harlan, 12.09 inches, 12.06 inches below average, and Audubon, 13.19 inches, 11.22 inches below normal. Greenfield has received 14.03 inches of rain to this date, which is 10.44 inches below normal.
Saeugling says it takes 20-24 inches of moisture to produce a crop and depending upon the soil type will hold anywhere from 8-12 inches of moisture.
The amount of rainfall, average rainfall, and department from normal amounts are listed below:
Total Average Inches below normal
Atlantic 11.83 24.13 12.30
Audubon 13.19 24.42 11.22
Clarinda 18.20 25.78 7.58
Corning 18.23 25.03 6.80
Creston 19.80 25.24 5.43
Glenwood 18.02 24.83 6.81
Greenfield 14.03 24.47 10.44
Harlan 12.09 24.15 12.06
Logan 14.75 23.65 8.90
Oakland 16.61 24.62 8.01
Red Oak 18.45 25.81 7.36
Shenandoah 17.06 24.68 7.62
Sidney 18.12 24.11 5.77
Winterset 18.45 24.11 5.66
