Following one of the wettest Mays in recent memory, the 2024 spring planting season is close to wrapping up, at least according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. Iowa farmers had 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 2. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “May 2024 will go into the history books as one of the top 10 wettest Mays on record, which helped to break our long-running drought. Unfortunately, it will also be remembered for producing destructive severe weather and frustrating planting delays.” Ninety-three percent of the corn crop is now planted, nearly two weeks behind last year and five days behind the five-year average, and corn emergence reached 81 percent, six days behind last year. Eighty-four percent of the soybean crop is in the ground, 12 days behind last year but in line with the average, with emergence now at 60 percent. As for crop conditions, corn and soybeans both measured 73 percent good to excellent. Topsoil moisture conditions rated three percent short to very short, 75 percent adequate, and 22 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 8 percent short to very short, 77 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. The complete USDA Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
