Iowa farmers faced continued planting delays last week as wet field conditions lingered following a rainy end to April, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report. Producers had only 3.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 4. However, the first days of the month were productive, particularly in northwest Iowa. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Farmers in some parts of the state have been dealing with wet field conditions after a rainy end to April. The first few days of May have been more favorable for farmers to get back into the fields. With the next week or two looking generally warmer and drier, conditions should allow for farmers to make significant planting progress” Corn planting reached 49 percent, three days ahead of last year but two days behind the five-year average. Soybeans were 38 percent planted, a week ahead of last year and two days ahead of average. Corn emergence hit 10 percent, while soybeans were at five percent. Oat planting was nearly complete at 91 percent, with 58 percent emerged. Topsoil moisture was rated 12 percent short to very short, 76 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil measured 22 percent short to very short, 71 percent adequate, and seven percent surplus. The complete report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
