The heat wave that has been affecting Ohio in recent weeks is starting to take its toll on crops. Reporters across western counties have described high temperatures causing heat stress in crops, and some farmers have reported hail and wind damage to fields planted with corn and soybeans.
This conditions are improving overall. The latest U.S. Drought Monitor report showed that 33.6 percent of the state is now abnormally dry or worse, down from 42.5 percent the previous week. Conditions matching the moderate drought rating were observed in 7.8 percent of the state, down from 13.2 percent the previous week.
Topsoil moisture conditions are also improving. As of July 30, 1 percent of the state was rated very short, 16 percent was rated short, 70 percent was rated adequate, and 13 percent was rated surplus.
Corn silking progress reached 64 percent, and soybeans blooming was 72 percent complete. Corn and soybean condition were 69 and 63 percent good to excellent, respectively.
Oats were 88 percent harvested, with crop condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Second cuttings of alfalfa were 88 percent complete, and second cuttings of other hay were 60 percent complete. Third cuttings of alfalfa hay and other dry hay were 14 and 9 percent complete, respectively.
Pasture and range condition was rated 61 percent good to excellent, down from 65 percent the previous week.
Conditions are improving in Ohio, but heat stress is still a concern for some crops. Farmers are hoping for some rain in the coming weeks to help relieve the stress and improve yields.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-awakr10
Categories: Ohio, Crops, Weather