Wet and cold conditions throughout the state limited farmers’ time in the field last week, according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. Producers had just 2.5 days on average for fieldwork during the week ending April 23. Still, complaints are muted as the much-needed rainfall in western Iowa helped improve the state’s moisture supplies. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Wetter conditions and cooler temperatures over the past week slowed down planters across much of Iowa. As farmers look for a window to resume planting, other fieldwork activities, including fertilizer application and cover crop termination continue.” Following last week’s precipitation, officials report topsoil moisture conditions rated four percent very short, 18 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and four percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated seven percent very short, 28 percent short, 61 percent adequate, and four percent surplus. Planting progress was slow, with about 10 percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop now in the ground, nine days ahead of last year but equal to the five-year average. An estimated five percent of the expected soybean crop is planted, 10 days ahead of last year and three days ahead of average. This week’s USDA Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
