More rainfall left Iowa farmers with less than two suitable days for field work in the last week, according to the latest Crop Progress Report from the Department of Agriculture. Late in the week, some were able to continue planting corn and soybeans, along with applying pesticides.
Topsoil moisture condition rated one percent very short, seven percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 21 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated four percent very short, 17 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus.
Fifty-seven percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, one week behind last year and five days behind the five-year average. Twenty-six percent of the corn crop has emerged. So far, Iowa farmers have planted 39 percent of the expected soybean crop, one week behind last year and four days behind normal. Thirteen percent of the soybean crop has emerged. Ninety-eight percent of the expected oat crop has been planted while emergence reached 81 percent. This is two days ahead of last year and five days ahead of the average. There were reports of oats headed in isolated areas of the State.
Hay condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. There were a few reports of producers beginning their first cutting of hay. Pasture condition rated 67 percent good to excellent. Cattle feedlots were muddy due to rain received over the last four weeks.