In the latest Crop Progress Report from the Department of Agriculture, Iowa farmers were left with 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 26. Planting corn and soybeans, and cutting hay were all limited due to heavy rains, tornadoes, and derecho conditions across the State.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, three percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 26 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated two percent very short, nine percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 88 percent, while 66 percent of the corn crop has emerged. The first corn condition rating of the season was one percent very poor, four percent poor, 22 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 19 percent excellent. Seventy-three percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop has been planted, 10 days behind last year and three days behind the five-year average. Soybeans emerged reached 42 percent, five days behind last year. Ninety-five percent of the expected oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 31 percent, six days ahead of last year and almost two weeks ahead of normal. Oat condition improved five percentage points to 81 percent good to excellent.

Cutting of alfalfa hay was at 20 percent completed. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 72 percent good to excellent, with some reports of flooded fields throughout the State.