With spring officially underway, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released the first weekly Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report of the 2024 growing season. For the week ending March 31, most of the state recorded cooler-than-normal temperatures and much-needed precipitation, leaving farmers with 1.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities were minimal, but the work that was done included primarily anhydrous, manure, and fertilizer applications. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Whether it’s the birth of a new calf or the emergence of the first seedlings popping through the soil, spring always brings a feeling of renewal, anticipation, and optimism. As Iowa farmers look ahead to this growing season and make planting preparations, we are encouraged by the more active weather patterns. While our historic streak of 195 weeks of D1 drought continues and we still have significant moisture deficits to make up, longer-term outlooks appear to be favorable for more consistent rainfall.” Oat seeding had already reached 21 percent completion, 11 days ahead of last year and the five-year average. Topsoil moisture conditions rated 59 percent short to very short, 37 percent adequate, and four percent surplus. The full USDA report can be found online at nass.usda.gov.
