Iowa Ag Connection - Cold, Wet Weather Persists Across Iowa

Iowa Ag News Headlines

Cold, Wet Weather Persists Across Iowa
Iowa Ag Connection - 04/17/2018

As cold, wet weather persisted yet another week, statewide Iowa farmers had only 1.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Sunday, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. When conditions allowed, farmers in the southern two-thirds of the State were busy applying fertilizer and seeding oats with isolated reports of tillage.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 22 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 3 percent very short, 12 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Recent heavy snow and rain have left northern Iowa with surplus soil moisture.

Twelve percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 9 days behind last year and 10 days behind the 5-year average. While one-quarter of the oats have been planted in east central and southwest Iowa, northwest and north central Iowa have yet to get planting underway.

Livestock producers continue to experience challenges with snowfall and below normal temperatures stalling spring pasture growth and making tending to calves difficult throughout much of the State.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report.

"An eventful weather week brought severe weather and significant snowfall to the state and continues to keep farmers from spring fieldwork. The weather is also challenge for livestock farmers caring for new calves and anticipating spring pasture growth. We are starting to see cover crops green up and will even more if we get some warmer temperatures and sunshine," Naig said.

Other Iowa Headlines