DES MOINES — A dry and warm week last week resulted in good progress in Iowa’s fields as planting continues across the state, according to the newest crop report released on Monday.
USDA agricultural statistician Rebecca Alter says farmers for the most part had little trouble getting into the field. “Little or no precipitation and warm temperatures allowed Iowa farmers 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 18th. Corn and soybean planting made rapid progress. There were scattered reports of replanting as early planted crops in some areas had struggled to emerge with the dry conditions.”
Alter says corn and soybean planting is ahead of normal. “Corn planted reached 91% complete, 12 days ahead of last year, and four days ahead of the five-year average. 58% of corn had emerged, five days ahead of last year’s pace and three days ahead of normal. 84% of the expected soybean crop has been planted, just over two weeks ahead of last year and one week ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans emerged reached 42%, eight days ahead of last year and six days ahead of normal.”
Here in north-central Iowa, 97% of the corn has been planted and 59% has emerged, while 88% of the soybeans have been planted and 38% have emerged.
See the full crop report by clicking here
