Iowa crop progress and condition report

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

“Wetter conditions and cooler temperatures over the past week slowed down planters across much of Iowa,” Naig said. “As farmers look for a window to resume planting, other fieldwork activities including fertilizer application and cover crop termination continues.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report

Colder temperatures and a variety of precipitation limited farmers to 2.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 23, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Much-needed rain in the western part of Iowa helped to improve State level moisture supplies. Corn, soybean, and oat planting continued this week, although at a reduced pace due to the cold, wet weather.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 18 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 28 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.

Ten percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, 9 days ahead of last year but equal to the 5-year average. Five percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 10 days ahead of last year and three days ahead of the average. Sixty-seven percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 11 days ahead of last year and four days ahead of normal. Ten percent of the oat crop has emerged, three days ahead of last year. Calving continues with some cattle let out to pasture. Livestock were doing well although some lots are muddy.