In the Crop Progress and Condition Report for the week ending May 7, mostly dry weather and warmer temperatures allowed Iowa farmers 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Conditions allowed farmers to make significant strides planting corn, soybeans, and oats.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 27 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 8 percent very short, 33 percent short, 56 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

Forty-one percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop was planted last week, resulting in 70 percent planted overall. This is 12 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Six percent of the corn crop has emerged, 6 days ahead of last year, but a day behind average. One-third of Iowa’s expected soybean crop was planted last week, for a total of 49 percent planted, 11 days ahead of last year, and just over one week ahead of the average. Ninety-six percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, just over 2 weeks ahead of last year, and 10 days ahead of the average. Oat emergence is at 61 percent, and has moved from being behind normal one week ago, to being 9 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the 5-year average.

The first hay condition rating of 2023 was 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 52 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Pasture condition rated 43 percent good to excellent. Some cattlemen were still waiting for pastures to put on more growth before turning out their cattle.

For a copy of all 2023 Crop Progress and Condition Reports, click here.