Northwest Iowa — Iowa farmers were limited by wet conditions again last week. According to the USDA Crop Progress Report, rain resulted in just 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Iowa. There were just 1.3 days suitable in northwest Iowa. Farmers in the state reported planting corn, and soybeans, and applying pesticides late in the week.
The report says 57 percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, which is one week behind last year and five days behind the five-year average. 26 percent of the corn crop has emerged. In northwest Iowa, 66 percent of corn has been planted, with 28 percent emerged.
Iowa farmers have planted 39 percent of the expected soybean crop, which is one week behind last year and four days behind the average. 13 percent of soybeans have emerged statewide. In northwest Iowa, 35 percent of soybeans have been planted, with nine percent emerged.
A positive of the recent rainfall is now only two percent of northwest Iowa topsoil is short of moisture, with 58 percent adequate, and 40 percent surplus.
Just seven percent of northwest Iowa subsoil is either short or very short of moisture, with 67 percent adequate, and 25 percent surplus.
(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KAYL in Storm Lake)
