The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship released the first Crop Progress Report of the year earlier this week. With recent cooler temperatures and much needed rain/snow, Iowa farmers were left with 1.6 days suitable for field work during the week ending March 31. Still, some farmers were able to apply anhydrous, manure, and dry fertilizer. 

Topsoil moisture condition rated 22 percent very short, 37 percent short, 37 percent adequate, and four percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 35 percent very short, 41 percent short, 22 percent adequate, and two percent surplus. 

Oat seeding has already reached 21 percent complete, 11 days ahead of both last year and the five-year average. Much of the seeding took place prior to the week ending March 31. Some seeding took place weeks ago and is even starting to emerge. 

There were no reports of cattle turned out to pasture yet as many pastures are just beginning to green up. Calving, meanwhile, was in full swing.