Iowa (RI) — Wet conditions kept some farmers out of the fields last week, while others were able to get plenty of planting done.
According to the state’s USDA Crop Progress Report, 3.2 days were suitable for fieldwork statewide, with a little over three-and-a-half days suitable in northwest Iowa.
The USDA report shows overall corn planting hit 49 percent. The northwest region is way out in front, with 71 percent of the corn planted, while the northeast lags behind at just 19 percent, and the north-central region with just 32 percent. All other regions are more than 50 percent complete. Overall, corn planting is three days ahead of last year, but five days behind the five-year average. The story is the same for soybeans as northwest Iowa has 53 percent of the beans in the ground, while the northeast and north-central areas report only 17 percent.
Ten percent of the corn has already emerged, and five percent of the soybeans have emerged.
The crop report says 73 percent of northwest Iowa topsoil has adequate moisture, while 65 percent of subsoil in northwest Iowa has adequate moisture.
With help from fellow Community First Broadcasting Station KAYL in Storm Lake
KIWA Staff Photo
