Iowa farmers were left with three days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 21, according to the latest Crop Progress and Condition Report from the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Fieldwork included corn, soybean, and oat planting when field conditions allowed.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 10 percent very short, 27 percent short, 60 percent adequate, and three percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 19 percent very short, 36 percent short, 43 percent adequate, and two percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 13 percent complete, three days ahead of last year and the five-year average. Eight percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, four days ahead of last year and six days ahead of the average. Seventy-eight percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, one week ahead of last year and eight days ahead of the five-year average. Thirty-four percent of the oat crop has emerged, 10 days ahead of last year.

Pastures and hay ground continue to green up due to much-needed rain. There were still no reports of cattle turned out onto pasture yet. To view this, and all reports in their entirety, click here.