Statewide Iowa — Farmers had dry planting weather most of last week before storms hit and they made the most of it.
Iowa corn shot to 70 percent planted compared to 29 percent in the previous week. Corn planting had been one day behind the five-year average, and is now one week ahead.
The USDA also reports that six percent of the planted corn has emerged, one day ahead of the average. Soybean planting in the state moved to 49 percent complete, up from 16 percent the week before, and one week ahead of the five-year average.
Here in the northwestern district of Iowa, the USDA reports that 78 percent of corn is planted, well above last year’s 13 percent, and the 5-year average of 53 percent. and only three percent emerged, which is ahead of last year, but well below the 5-year average. Oats are well ahead of last year, and the 5-year average with 97 percent planted, and 73 percent emerged. As for soybeans, the USDA reports that northwest Iowa has 43 percent planted, which is above last year’s seven percent, and the 5-year average of 30 percent. There have been 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork, with 60 percent topsoil adequate, 27 percent short, and only 12 percent very short. The subsoil is not as moist, showing only 40 percent adequate, and 53 percent short.
