Iowa farmers had 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork in the last week, according to the latest Crop Progress Report from the Department of Agriculture. Despite some isolated rain showers and warmer temperatures, primary activities included wrapping up corn and soybean planting and re-planting. Others were cutting hay and spraying crops.

Topsoil moisture condition rated one percent very short, 12 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated two percent very short, 14 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and nine percent surplus.

Corn emergence is nearing completion at 95 percent, while corn condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. Eighty-six percent of the soybean crop has emerged, almost two weeks behind last year and one day behind the five-year-average. Soybean condition rated 74 percent good to excellent. Oats headed reached 74 percent, two days behind last year but one week ahead of the average. Nineteen percent of oats were turning color, six days ahead of last year and nearly two weeks ahead of the five-year average. Oat condition rated 81 percent good to excellent.

Iowa’s first cutting of alfalfa hay reached 89 percent complete, six days behind last year. Hay condition rated 80 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 75 percent good to excellent as some cattle feedlots remain muddy.