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According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service there were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork in Iowa during the week ending June 5th. Those activities included replanting wet fields, cutting hay and chemical applications.

Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 8% surplus, 78% adequate, 12% short and 2% very short. Subsoil moisture conditions were rated 6% surplus, 74% adequate, 17% short and 3% very short.

Planting is almost complete, with 98% of Iowa’s corn crop planted, 11 days behind last year, but three days ahead of the five year average. Of the planted crop, 87% of corn has emerged, six days behind last year and one day behind average. Corn condition is rated 86% good to excellent. For the soybean crop, 94% is in the ground, five days behind last year, but six days ahead of the five year average. Of what has been planted, 69% of soybeans have emerged, one week behind last year, but one day ahead of average. Iowa’s first soybean condition rating saw the crop at 15% excellent, 67% good, 16% fair and 2% poor. The oat crop is two weeks behind last year and one week behind the five year average at 96% emerged, 22% has headed, five days behind last year with 82% of the crop graded good to excellent.

Forty-two percent of the state’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. All hay conditions rated 73% good to excellent. Pasture condition checked it at 64% good to excellent with no livestock issues reported.