(Photos by Russ Mitchell) Pastures could use more rain and warm weather, but grazing remains favorable according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. Cattle seen here, just north of Spencer, enjoy a late afternoon snack -- without the mud. [Order this photo]

Conditions are ideal for fieldwork, but plants could use touches of moisture and warm weather, according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

Northey's comment came as part of the weekly Iowa Crops and Weather Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through October.

"The dry weather has been beneficial for haying and other fieldwork," Northey said. "However, more rain and warm days are needed to support growth. Let's hope the weather continues to cooperate."

Dry weather has helped corm develop and aided fieldwork north of Spencer. More rain and warm weather could help the process. [Order this photo]

Iowa's topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies remained mostly adequate, according to the USDA, but shortages increased as most areas of the state received little rainfall.

"Dry weather supported haying and other fieldwork, but pastures and hay need rain to promote growth," the summary said. "Near-normal temperatures prevented significant crop and livestock stress, but more warm days are needed to promote crop development. Airplane pilots were busy applying insecticides and fungicides to soybean fields."

There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 1.8 days in the same week a year ago. Topsoil moisture is rated 7 percent very short, 26 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus across the state. Subsoil moisture is rated 2 percent very short, 16 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus.

The summary also said:

* Corn at or beyond the milk stage progressed to 88 percent, 11 days behind last year and 8 days behind the five-year average.

Corn at or beyond the dough stage advanced to 53 percent, 29 percentage points behind last year and 25 percentage points behind the five-year average. The USDA said 13 percent of the corn has reached the dent stage, well behind last year's 53 percent and the 5-year average of 40 percent.

Corn condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 16 percent excellent.

* Soybeans setting pods is at 89 percent, 12 days behind last year and the five-year average.

Soybean condition is rated at 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 15 percent excellent.

* The oat harvest is nearly finished at 97 percent complete, slightly behind last year and the 5-year average. The second cutting of alfalfa is 96 percent complete. Normally, the second cutting is done by this date.

* The third cutting of alfalfa advanced to 32 percent complete, nearly 2 weeks behind last year and the five-year average. All hay condition is rated 2 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 47 percent good, and 11 percent excellent.

* Pasture and range condition is rated 3 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 9 percent excellent.