Iowa Ag Connection - Iowa Farmers Make Progress as Fields Dry

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Iowa Farmers Make Progress as Fields Dry
Iowa Ag Connection - 05/24/2016

Drier conditions allowed farmers to make good progress with 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork statewide during the week ending Sunday, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were scattered reports of corn being replanted in the northern third of Iowa.

Topsoil moisture levels increased to 0 percent very short, 5 percent short, 84 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus.

Ninety-six percent of the corn crop has been planted, 2 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn emerged reached 75 percent, on pace with last year, but 4 days ahead of normal. The first corn condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 62 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. Soybean planting reached 74 percent complete, almost a week ahead of last year. Twenty-one percent of the soybeans have emerged, 2 days behind last year, but equal to the 5-year average. Oat emergence was nearly complete at 96 percent, while oats headed reached 11 percent this week, 11 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the 5-year average. Oat condition was rated 80 percent good to excellent.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay advanced to 19 percent completed. Hay conditions improved slightly to 75 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition also improved to 76 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were described as generally good with some feedlots starting to dry up.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey ommented on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.

"Many farmers were able to make good progress last week and now 96 percent of corn and 74 percent of soybeans are planted statewide. Farmers will be anxious to plant the remaining acres of corn and soybeans, but could be delayed again as wet weather is forecast for much of the state," Northey said.

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