Favorable weather conditions not only accelerated planting across the state, there were some scattered reports of corn emergence over the last week. “The weather over the past several days provided a great window for farmers to plant,” says Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig. “Now we need some rain, especially in the northern parts of the state to help push the crop along. Short-term outlooks are promising with the potential for cooler and wetter days ahead.” According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, there were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending May 2. Other field activities, such as applying anhydrous and dry fertilizer, were hampered due to high winds. More than half of Iowa’s expected corn crop is in the ground, estimated at 69 percent planted, nine days ahead of the five-year average. The soybean crop is 43 percent planted, 12 days ahead of normal. The full Crop Progress and Condition Report can be found at nass.usda.gov.
