Farmers across the state again made significant planting progress last week as drier conditions allowed more time for fieldwork, according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). For the week ending May 10, Iowa farmers had 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says, “Farmers made a lot of planting progress last week thanks to drier conditions across the state. Although parts of northern Iowa had a few mornings of frost, the forecast through mid-May indicates warmer temperatures and the potential for more near-normal rainfall. As long as conditions are favorable, farmers will keep the planters rolling this week.” Corn planting jumped ahead to approximately 72 percent complete statewide, matching last year’s pace and nine percentage points ahead of the five-year average. Corn emergence reached 19 percent, eight points behind last year but in line with the average. Soybean planting reached 60 percent, equal to the 2025 pace and 12 points ahead of average. An estimated seven percent of soybeans had emerged. Oat planting was at 94 percent complete, slightly behind last year’s 96 percent. Topsoil moisture conditions measured 26 percent short to very short, 68 percent adequate, and six percent surplus, while subsoil was 21 percent short to very short, 74 percent adequate, and five percent surplus. The statewide average precipitation was just 0.03 inches, more than an inch below normal. The week’s average temperature was 54.1 degrees Fahrenheit, 2.4 degrees below normal. The full report is available online at www.nass.usda.gov.
