Iowa Crop Progress Summarized in 5 Charts

USDA published the final April 2025 Crop Progress report on Monday.

“Widespread rainfall across the state delayed planting last week, but provided much-needed moisture, easing drought conditions across portions of Iowa,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig in a statement on Monday. “Outlooks for the next few weeks show unseasonably warm temperatures and perhaps a break in the wet weather, which would give farmers a window to get in the field.”

Here’s a closer look at the latest data on Iowa crop progress.

Corn

According to USDA, 34% of Iowa’s corn is planted, slightly ahead of the five-year average of 28%. Iowa farmers are ahead of their neighbors in Illinois and Nebraska. However, Missouri farmers have a higher percentage of their corn crop in the ground than Iowa farmers.

Nationwide, 24% of the corn crop has been planted.

USDA said 2% of Iowa’s corn has emerged, near the five-year average of 3%. Across the Mississippi, Illinois corn is emerging at a similar pace.

Nationwide, 5% of the corn crop has emerged.

Soybeans

According to USDA, 25% of Iowa soybeans have been planted. That’s significantly ahead of the 10% five-year average.

Iowa leads Midwest soybean planting along with Missouri.

Nationwide, 18% of the soybean crop has been planted.

Oats

According to USDA, 81% of Iowa oats have been planted. This is above the five-year average of 78%, but down from last year at this time, when 88% of the crop was in the ground.

Iowa oat planting progress is well ahead of neighboring states. 

Nationwide, 61% of the oat crop has been planted.

USDA said 41% of Iowa oats have emerged. This is well above the five-year average of 29%.

Nationwide, 37% of the oat crop has emerged.