For the first time since mid-June, Iowa recorded statewide precipitation below normal, according to State Climatologist Justin Glisan. Average rainfall during the Aug. 11-17 reporting period was 0.8 inches-just over one-tenth of an inch below the seasonal norm. Meanwhile, temperatures ranged from 2 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit above average, with some regions spiking as high as 16 degrees above.

Despite the drop in rain, soil moisture levels remain favorable. USDA's crop progress and condition report noted that 72% of topsoil and 73% of subsoil moisture levels are considered adequate. The state's north-central region continues to be the wettest, with 55% of topsoil rated surplus.

Corn and soybean crops remain in solid shape. As of mid-August, 27% of corn had reached the dent stage, just one day behind the five-year average, and nearly 80% was in the dough stage, three days behind normal. Despite the lag, 30% of corn acres were rated excellent, and another significant portion rated good.

Soybeans are slightly behind as well, with 83% of acres setting pods, four days off the typical pace. However, 22% of soybean acres were rated excellent and 60% good, signaling healthy conditions overall.

Still, agronomists are raising flags over the risk of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) in soybeans, a fungal disease thriving in this year's wet conditions. While confirmed cases have surfaced across most of the state, the extent of impacted acreage remains undetermined.

Other crops continue to progress steadily. The oat harvest is 91% complete, and 65% of alfalfa hay fields have had a third cutting.

Glisan noted that eastern Iowa received above-average precipitation, but it wasn't enough to offset the statewide average dip. Even so, the average temperature for the week was 74.8°F, just 2.8 degrees above normal.

In a separate statement, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig highlighted a silver lining: for the first time in over a year, Iowa has no drought classification, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

This is especially welcome news in drought-prone southwest Iowa. Farmer Dale Maassen of Avoca reports that he's seen more rain since June than in all of last year. "Right now, I can't complain," Maassen said. "It's the best I've seen in quite a while."

With harvest season approaching, Iowa producers are hoping that the favorable moisture balance continues-and that the emerging SDS threat doesn't offset what looks like a promising year.