Iowa Made ‘Rapid Progress’ Planting Corn, Soybeans Last Week

By Cami Koons

Iowa farmers have less than 10% of corn acres left to plant, which puts them a whopping 12 days ahead of last year’s pace and four days ahead of normal, according to the crop progress and condition report. 

The report said farmers made “rapid progress” during the reporting period which had nearly a full week suitable for field work.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the rain and cooler temperatures forecasted this week might mean fewer days in the field, but could be helpful for young crops. 

“We need the moisture across the state, and the widespread rainfall will give the recently planted corn and soybeans a good boost,” Naig said. 

According to the crop report, released weekly by the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, some corn struggled to emerge, due to dry conditions in scattered areas across the state, and had to be replanted. 

Overall, 58% of planted corn and 42% of planted soybean acres have emerged. More than 80% of soybean acres across the state have been planted. 

Iowa had an average rainfall of less than a tenth of an inch of rain and a statewide average temperature of 65°F, which is 4° above normal. The lack of precipitation and high temperatures caused topsoil moisture conditions to drop from 70% adequate the previous week, to 53% adequate for the reporting period of May 12–18. Subsoil moisture conditions also dropped from 67% adequate to 58% adequate in the latest report. 

More than 60% of Iowa is in abnormally dry conditions, according to the latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, which shows western and southern regions are driest. 

Despite the somewhat dry conditions, 63% of pastures rated good or excellent in the state. Hay and oat conditions also rated well for the reporting period with 78% and 86%, respectively, rated good or excellent. 

Precipitation outlooks for the state show 1-2 inches of rain anticipated in the next seven days. 

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