What is Going on With Iowa Crops?

“Last week’s cool and soggy conditions sidelined many farmers who were looking to finish planting or complete other field work. Despite the delays, most farmers are grateful to receive the rain as we recharge our soils and give the crops a strong early season boost,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig on Tuesday, looking back on the week ended May 25. “We expect a less active weather pattern with warmer temperatures and spotty rain in the week ahead.”

Iowa State Climatologist Justin Glisan recapped the week’s weather in more detail. “Unseasonably cool and wet conditions were the headline of the reporting period with widespread, beneficial rain across much of Iowa; nearly 250-300% of normal rainfall was observed in central to eastern Iowa. Coupled with cloud cover and rain, conditions were six to 10 degrees below normal with the statewide average temperature at 55.0 degrees, 8.1 degrees below normal,” Glisan said in a press statement.

Following the observance of Memorial Day, USDA released the Crop Progress report on Tuesday, May 27. Here’s a closer look at the status of Iowa’s most important crops as May comes to a close.

Corn

Planting Progress

According to USDA, 95% of Iowa’s corn had been planted by the week ended May 25. That’s slightly behind the five-year average of 93%. However, it’s 8 percentage points higher than this time last year.

Eric Wilson is an Iowa agronomist for Wyffels Hybrids. “Corn planting is essentially completed in my areas,” he told Successful Farming on Sunday.

Emergence Progress

USDA reported 76% of Iowa corn had emerged by the week ended May 25. That’s 4 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Last year at this time just 63% of Iowa corn was out of the ground.

Wilson noted, “Things that are up look good and I anticipate corn that will be emerging soon to have no issues.”

Corn Condition

According to the USDA, at 21%, Iowa had the highest percentage of corn rated excellent. The remainder of Iowa’s corn was rated 62% good, 15% fair, and 2% excellent.

That’s better than national averages for the week which were reported as 12% excellent, 56% good, 27% fair, 4% poor, and 1% very poor.

Soybeans

Planting Progress

Wilson said most soybean planting is complete in his area, but there will be some soybean replant necessary.

USDA said 92% of Iowa soybeans have been planted. That’s 8 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Last year at this time just 71% of the state’s soybean crop had been planted.

Emergence Progress

The report noted 60% of Iowa soybeans have emerged. This is 21 percentage points ahead of this time last year and 12 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.

Soybean Condition

Iowa soybeans were rated 16% excellent, 64% good, 17% fair, 2% poor, and 1% very poor, reported the National Agricultural Statistics Service Upper Midwest Regional Field Office.

USDA is expected to publish national soybean condition numbers in the June 2 Crop Progress report.

Oats

Planting Progress

According to the March 2025 Prospective Plantings report, Iowa farmers were expected to plant 60,000 acres of oats this season. That’s up 10,000 acres from 2024.

Oat planting is complete in Iowa, said USDA’s latest Crop Progress report. This is slightly ahead of the five-year average of 99%.

Emergence Progress

The Crop Progress report noted 92% of Iowa oats have emerged. That’s 2 percentage points behind both the five-year average and last year at this time.

Oats Headed

At 26%, more than a quarter of the state’s oat crop has headed. That’s notably ahead of the five-year average of 13%. However, last year at this time 29% of the crop had headed.

Oat Condition

USDA rated Iowa oat condition 17% excellent, 69% good, 13% fair, and 1% poor. There were no Iowa oats rated very poor.

Hay

USDA said 40% of the state’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. Iowa hay condition was rated 24% excellent, 61% good, 13% fair, and 2% poor. There was no hay rated very poor in the state.

Pasture and Range

Iowa pasture and range was rated 19% excellent, 49% good, 27% fair, 4% poor, and 1% very poor.