Iowa farmers crept closer to wrapping up the 2022 planting season last week, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Crop Progress and Condition Report. Producers had an average of 4.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 29, with activities focused on planting, cutting hay, and applying chemicals. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig, says, “Recent rainfall across the state has helped to push the crop along as farmers are approaching the end of planting. Short-term outlooks, through the first week of June, show better chances of rainfall paired with cooler temperatures.” Approximately 94 percent of the corn crop is now in the ground, 13 days behind last year but in line with the five-year average. An estimated 73 percent of the corn crop has emerged, six days behind last year and two days behind the five-year average. Eighty-six percent of the crop was rated good to excellent in the first condition report of the year. About 85 percent of the soybean crop is planted, 11 days behind 2021 but six days ahead of the five-year average. Forty-five percent of that crop has emerged, eight days behind last year and just a day behind the average. The full report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
