Rain slowed planting last week but did not prevent many farmers from making progress on this spring’s planting season, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. Farmers had 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 21 due to several storm systems that pushed through the state. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Planters temporarily stopped rolling last week as thunderstorms produced severe weather across portions of Iowa along with above-average rainfall. Warmer temperatures are forecasted this week, with a more active weather pattern persisting as farmers look for windows of opportunity to get back into the field.” Corn planted reached 13 percent complete, three days ahead of last year and the five-year average, while eight percent of the expected soybean crop is in the ground, four days ahead of last year and six days ahead of the average. Seventy-eight percent of the state’s oats are planted, a week ahead of last year and eight days ahead of average. Last week’s rain was welcome, but dryness persists across the state. Topsoil moisture conditions rated 37 percent short to very short, 60 percent adequate, and three percent surplus. Subsoil conditions landed at 55 percent short to very short, 43 percent adequate, and two percent surplus. The USDA’s weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
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