Northwest Iowa — Scattered showers last week resulted in Iowa farmers having 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork, with 3.7 days available in northwest Iowa.
According to the USDA Crop Progress Report, Iowa farmers continued planting corn and soybeans last week, and were also cutting hay. Some replanting has occurred due to drowned-out areas in fields.
78 percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, which is eight days behind last year and four days behind the five-year average. 82 percent of northwest Iowa corn has been planted. 47 percent of corn statewide has emerged, which is two days behind last year, but equal to normal.
61 percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted across the state, which is one week behind last year and two days behind normal. 59 percent of northwest Iowa soybeans have been planted. Nearly a quarter of soybeans statewide have emerged, which is three days behind last year, but equal to the average.
Just two percent of northwest Iowa topsoil is short of moisture, with 65 percent adequate, and 33 percent surplus. Only five percent of northwest Iowa subsoil is short of moisture, with 72 percent adequate, and 23 percent surplus.
(Courtesy fellow Community First Broadcasting station KAYL in Storm Lake)
