According to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), cold and wet conditions throughout the state limited farmers to just 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending April 17. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, says, “Iowa saw a mix of winter and spring weather last week. While severe storms swept through parts of the state leaving behind isolated damage, rain and Easter snowfall provided additional subsoil moisture. Soil temperatures are still hovering in the upper 30s and low 40s, but outlooks point to warmer temperatures for the week ahead.” Producers spent what time they could in the field applying anhydrous and fertilizer, spreading manure, tilling fields, and planting oats. An estimated 29 percent of the expected oat crop is now in the ground, eight days behind last year and three days behind the five-year average. Less than 30 percent of the state’s topsoil moisture is now rated short or very short, with about half of subsoil moisture ratings falling in the same category. The full report can be found at nass.usda.gov.
