Iowa Farmers Face Flooding, Heat as Crop Development Slips Behind Schedule
Iowa farmers are dealing with a one-two punch of extreme weather: severe flooding in some areas and a heat dome that has pushed crop development behind the five-year average. The state climatologist reports that parts of Iowa received more than two months' worth of rain in just 36 hours, leaving fields and basements underwater.
According to the latest Iowa weather summary and crop progress report, the statewide average temperature for the week ending July 5 hit 79 degrees Fahrenheit, 6 degrees above normal. State Climatologist Justin Glisan explained that storms formed in a ring of fire pattern around the heat dome that baked much of the country during the first week of July.
Heavy Rain Causes Widespread Flooding
The storms dumped significant rainfall across the state. Nearly 200 weather stations recorded at least 2 inches of rain, 42 stations saw more than 3 inches, and a Polk City station reported 9.41 inches from a single storm. The highest weekly total, just under 11 inches, was also recorded in Polk City. The statewide weekly average of 2.53 inches was more than double the normal for this reporting period.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said there were widespread reports of flooding and swollen streams across the state. Our hearts go out to the Iowans and communities affected by the flooding as recovery efforts continue, Naig said in a statement. At the same time, other areas of the state, including drought-affected portions of northwest and north-central Iowa, received much-needed rainfall.
Corn Development Lags Behind Schedule
The U.S. Department of Agriculture report shows corn development continues to trail the five-year pace. Only 8% of corn acres are silking, compared to 13% last year and the five-year average of 10%. No corn acres have reached the dough stage yet, which is typical for this time of year but still a concern for farmers.
Aaron Lehman, a farmer in Polk County and president of the Iowa Farmers Union, said the heat has taken a toll on his crops. The leaves start curling, that healthy corn plant starts to look more like the top of a pineapple plant, Lehman said. So we're really concerned how it will come out of all this heat.
Despite the challenges, USDA rated 78% of corn crops good to excellent, and 74% of soybeans in the same category.
Soybean Planting Surges Ahead
Soybeans are faring better. USDA reports 37% of soybean acres are blooming, nearly double the previous week and ahead of both the five-year average and last year's pace. About 3% of soybean acres have started setting pods, though that lags behind last year's 8% and the five-year average of 5%.
The latest USDA acreage report, released June 30, estimates 95.3 million acres of corn were planted in the U.S. this year, a 3% decline from last year. Soybean planting, however, is up 5% from 2025, with harvest expectations 5% higher. Some wheat farmers may have switched to soybeans this spring, as USDA projects a 6% decline in wheat acreage.
What This Means for Iowa's Economy
Agriculture remains the backbone of Iowa's economy, and these weather patterns could affect everything from crop yields to farm income. The flooding has damaged fields and infrastructure, while the heat dome has stressed crops. However, the rainfall has also helped drought-affected areas in northwest and north-central Iowa.
Oats are ahead of schedule, with 96% of acreage headed, offering some bright news for farmers. But the overall picture is mixed, and Iowans are watching the weather closely as the growing season continues.
For now, farmers are focused on recovery and hoping for more moderate conditions in the weeks ahead.