Corn and soybean planting surged ahead last week thanks to favorable field conditions for much of the state, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) latest Crop Progress and Condition Report. For the week ending May 3, Iowa farmers had 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork, and they took advantage of the opportunity. An estimated 42 percent of the 2026 crop is now in the ground, only five percent behind last year’s completion rate, while soybean planting is 27 percent complete, nine percent behind last year. Oat seeding reached 88 percent, two percent behind 2025. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “April will go down as one of the wettest on record, and that moisture has helped ease drought conditions for the majority of the state. Looking ahead, the forecast trends a bit cooler and drier through the first few weeks of May, which should give farmers a longer window to keep the planters running.” Soil moisture measurements are favorable across Iowa, as topsoil measured 10 percent short to very short, 81 percent adequate, and nine percent surplus, while subsoil measured 15 percent short to very short, 78 percent adequate, and seven percent surplus. Last week was cooler than average at 50.7 degrees Fahrenheit, 3.2 degrees below normal. Statewide average precipitation was 0.71 inches, about 0.3 inches below the 1.04-inch normal. The full report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
