Iowa crop planting delayed by wet weather

By Andi Anderson

The Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for May 6-12, 2024, highlights the challenges farmers face due to wet weather. According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, heavy rain allowed only 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork, significantly delaying planting.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig noted that the widespread wet conditions have stalled progress and are a major concern for farmers. "We need sunshine and a light breeze to get back into the field," Naig said. Warmer, quieter weather is expected mid to late week, which may allow farmers to resume planting.

Planting Progress and Weather Conditions:

• Widespread wet conditions last week have delayed planting progress in Iowa.
• Farmers are eager to get back into the field once the weather improves.

Crop Report:

• Rain limited fieldwork to just 1.7 days during that week.
• Corn, soybeans, and pesticides were planted late in the week.
• Topsoil moisture conditions were rated as follows:
• Very short: 1%
• Short: 7%
• Adequate: 71%
• Surplus: 21%

Subsoil moisture conditions:

• Very short: 4%
• Short: 17%
• Adequate: 67%
• Surplus: 12%

Crop Planting Progress:

Corn:

• 57% of the expected corn crop has been planted (1 week behind last year).
• 26% of the corn crop has emerged.

Soybeans:

• 39% of the expected soybean crop has been planted (1 week behind last year).
• 13% of the soybean crop has emerged.

Oats:

• 98% of the expected oat crop has been planted.
• Emergence reached 81% (2 days ahead of last year).

Hay and Pasture Conditions:

• Hay condition: 77% rated good to excellent.
• Some producers began their first hay cutting.
• Pasture condition: 67% rated good to excellent.
• Cattle feedlots were muddy due to recent rain.

Weather Summary:

• Unseasonably wet conditions persisted across Iowa’s northern half.
• Temperatures were warmer than the 30-year climatology.
• Sunday (5th) had pleasant conditions, while Monday (6th) saw increased clouds.

The weather summary by Justin Glisan, State Climatologist, indicates that Iowa experienced unseasonably wet conditions with 1.00-3.00 inches of rain across the northern half of the state. Temperatures were also warmer than average, with a statewide average of 60.6 degrees. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes were reported, particularly in southwestern and central Iowa.

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