Northwest Iowa — Farmers’ time in the fields last week was hampered by rain.
According to the latest USDA Crop Progress Report, periodic rainfall last week resulted in just 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork statewide. 3.2 days were suitable for fieldwork in northwest Iowa.
50 percent of corn has now been planted in northwest Iowa. 34 percent of corn has been planted statewide, which is two days ahead of the five-year average. Two percent of corn has emerged.
29 percent of northwest Iowa soybeans have been planted. 25 percent of soybeans have been planted statewide, one day ahead of last year, and four days ahead of the five-year average.
72 percent of northwest Iowa topsoil has adequate moisture, with 25 percent short or very short, and three percent surplus.
63 percent of subsoil in northwest Iowa has adequate moisture, with 35 percent short or very short, and two percent surplus.
Livestock producers are beginning to turn cow-calf pairs out to pasture as grass continues to green up. No major livestock issues have been reported, though wet conditions and muddy feedlots have made feedlot management more difficult.
Muscatine reported the week’s high temperature of 81 degrees on the 24th,16 degrees above average. Spencer Municipal Airport reported the week’s low temperature of 30 degrees on the 26th, nine degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low 50s north to upper 50s south as of Sunday.
Looking ahead, farmers in Northwest Iowa remain optimistic as planting progresses ahead of schedule. With warmer temperatures expected in the coming weeks, crop emergence should improve, and fieldwork will likely pick up pace.
(Courtesy fellow Community First Broadcasting stations KAYL in Storm Lake and KSOU in Sioux Center)
