Consistent warm and drier weather in Iowa allowed farmers 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork in the last week, according to the latest Crop Progress Report from the Department of Agriculture. In addition to spraying, planting and replanting of corn and soybeans were limited due to wet field conditions.

Topsoil moisture condition rated zero percent very short, five percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 17 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated one percent very short, nine percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 13 percent surplus.

Corn planting is nearly complete with 89 percent emerged, nine days behind last year and two days behind the five-year average. Corn condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Ninety-two percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, even with the five-year average. Seventy-five percent of the soybean crop has emerged, nine days behind last year and one day behind the average. Soybean conditions rated 73 percent good to excellent. Emergence of the oat crop is nearly complete with 59 percent headed, eight days ahead of normal. Oat conditions rated 81 percent good to excellent.

Seventy percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, one week behind last year. Hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 76 percent good to excellent. For a complete Crop Progress and Condition Report, click here.