Although the overall rainfall is still well below normal in Northwest, Iowa this week’s rains have brought some relief. Iowa State University Extension Field Agronomist Joel DeJong (dee-young) says with corn getting into it’s pollination phase the recent moisture is welcome.

He says soybeans will be getting into their critical phase in just a few weeks when August hits and like the corn, this week’s rains have helped but more will be needed later on.

DeJong says they haven’t seen any real disease issues with the crops but there has been some insect pressure with gall midge and corn rootworms as well as some lodging.

DeJong encourages producers to scout their fields and make sure those kernels get pollinated as this is the critical time for corn.