NW Iowa hit hard by hail

When everything was looking the best it has in years, a hail storm hit northwest Iowa. The storm extended from southwest of Sioux Center to east of Terril. Some fields that got hit don’t look too bad, but others are a total loss for both corn and soybeans.

At this point in the summer, crops are extremely susceptible to hail damage. From about three weeks after emergence through the tasseling stage, corn is at the highest risk for severe yield loss due to hail. This is because the growing point is above the ground and the corn is growing rapidly. Once through the tasseling stage, yield loss due to hail is significantly less.

Here’s some photos of the damage in NW Iowa fields.