Northwest Iowa — Some northwest Iowa farmers are in their fields already this spring, but few, if any, have started planting. Most of those seen in fields so far this spring have been applying manure or other fertilizer to prepare the groud for spring planting.
The weekly Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the United States Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Statistics Service shows that rain continued to be an issue for northwest Iowa farmers, with just 3.5 days of suitable weather and conditions to be in the fields. That 3.5 days is the second highest in Iowa, with only the west central region surpassing that number, at 3.7 suitable days last week.
As for topsoil moisture, the report shows northwest Iowa sitting at 0% very short, 1% short, 91% adequate, and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 0% very short, 1% short, 90% adequate, and 9% surplus.
The report says that, as of this past Sunday (April 16th), just two percent of the State’s expected corn acreage has been planted, five days behind the previous year and three days behind the 5-year average. Forty-two percent of the oat crop has been planted, four days behind average, with 10% emerged. Northwest, west central, and central Iowa farmers have planted over half their expected oat acreage.
Pastures have begun to show good growth with some cows and calves already turned out into the fields. Livestock conditions have been good, although many feedlots remain muddy, according to the report.
The Iowa Crop Progress & Condition Report is released each week by the USDA National Ag Statistics Service.
