The 2026 planting season has gotten off to a soggy start for most of Iowa, according to the latest Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For the week ending April 12, Iowa farmers had 2.6 days, on average, suitable for fieldwork, which is 3.3 days less than last year. Planters started rolling last week, albeit sparingly, as an estimated one percent of the 2026 corn crop has been planted, one point behind 2025’s season. There were no reports of soybean planting in the latest report. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “April has been a particularly wet month as the Midwest remains locked into an active storm track. We expect the wet weather to continue over the next several days. I encourage Iowans to stay weather aware this week, as multiple rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms are possible. Though the rain may slow fieldwork, it is helping recharge soil moisture. We have seen substantial improvement in drought conditions in southern Iowa.” Statewide average precipitation measured 0.87 inches, a tenth of an inch above normal, while the average temperature for the week was 20 degrees above average at 77 degrees Fahrenheit. As for soil moisture conditions, topsoil measured 14 percent short to very short, 70 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus. The latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report in its entirety is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
