The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

With hot temperatures predicted in the extended forecast, regional agronomists say area fields could use a few timely drinks to aid the early growing season.

A delayed planting season caused a pinch in May. Most farmers were able to get their fields planted early that month following weeks of poor conditions, which put things slightly behind schedule.

"When soil temps increased to 50 degrees and rising planting season commenced in May, farmers worked very hard to plant the crop timely," said Gentry Sorensen, a field agronomist with ISU Extension & Outreach whose nine-county territory includes Clay County. "Considering the late start to planting many growers were able to get their fields planted in a timely fashion."

Farmers have been busy recently applying sidedress nitrogen and making post-applied applications of herbicide to corn and soybeans. Isolated hailstorms in some areas have caused some growers to replant soybeans, but reports have been minimal. Sorensen said the high temperatures in the forecast necessitated precipitation for crops as they hit their stride.

Both Clay and O'Brien counties were listed as "abnormally dry" on the latest Iowa Drought Monitor map released on June 9.

"We will be looking for timely rains this summer to keep the corn and soybean crop in good condition," Sorensen said. "Currently the crops have adequate moisture but the crop is growing rapidly and will uptake moisture into the growing season and will depend upon timely rains."

Sorensen noted that despite a wet spring, Clay County is approximately two inches behind average precipitation totals thanks to a dry fall.

"Rainfall will be critical this summer to maintain corn and soybeans," he said.

ISU field agronomist Joel DeJong, whose territory includes O'Brien and Osceola counties, concurred with Sorensen's assessment of area crops. Rainfall in his coverage area has varied greatly and he said more precipitation is needed as the region braces for the impending hot streak.

DeJong reported some fields with rolled leaves, which indicate the plants aren't getting enough water uptake through their roots to keep up with the demand of the environment.

"I do not know how widespread that is," he said. "However, stress now from low rainfall amounts and high temps is less damaging than having that happen during pollination and early ear fill in mid-July through August."

• Iowa crop update

The Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released Monday by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service noted planting in the Hawkeye State was nearly complete.

Row crop planting was almost done, but there were some reports of recent weather issues making corn or soybean replant necessary for some producers. Corn emergence reached 95 percent, one week behind last year but one day ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition rating remained 86 percent good-to-excellent.

Ninety-seven percent of soybeans had been planted, eight days behind last year but four days ahead of the five-year average. Eighty-four percent of soybeans have emerged, one week behind last year but two days ahead of average. Iowa's soybean condition rated 82 percent good-to-excellent.