Spring planting continues to lag behind recent seasons as persistent wet conditions keep planters out of the field, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. Farmers had 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 19. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “In pockets around the state, some farmers were able to resume or even finish planting as fields dried out from warmer and windier conditions. However, showers and thunderstorms prevented many from making much progress. An active weather pattern, along with stronger thunderstorms, is expected to continue this week and may bring more frustrating planting delays.” Seventy-eight percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, eight days behind last year and four days behind the five-year average. Forty-seven percent of corn has emerged, two days behind last year and even with the average. Sixty-one percent of soybeans are now in the ground, a week behind last year and two days behind average. About a fourth of soybeans have emerged, three days behind last year and even with the average. As for moisture, topsoil conditions rated seven percent short to very short, 77 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus. Subsoil conditions measured 18 percent short to very short, 73 percent adequate, and nine percent surplus. The week’s complete report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
