Iowa Crops Advance Rapidly with Warm Dry Weather Boost

By Andi Anderson

Iowa farmers took full advantage of warm and dry weather in the week ending May 11, 2025, completing significant planting work across the state. With 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork, progress was made in planting corn, soybeans, and oats, along with hay cutting and spraying operations.

Soil moisture remained generally favorable. Topsoil moisture was rated 5% very short, 22% short, 70% adequate, and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture showed similar results at 5% very short, 24% short, 67% adequate, and 4% surplus.

Corn planting reached 76%, placing Iowa 8 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the five-year average. Corn emergence stood at 30%, also ahead of previous years. Soybean planting reached 64%, a full 10 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the average, with 16% already emerged.

Oat planting is nearly finished, and 74% of the crop has emerged. While this is slightly behind last year, it's still ahead of normal progress. Some early reports of oats heading have been noted. The condition of oats continues to improve, with 85% rated good to excellent, up 6% from the previous week.

Alfalfa hay cutting has begun, with 6% of the first cutting completed. The first hay condition rating of the season showed 84% in good to excellent condition. Pasture ratings also improved, with 64% rated good to excellent, up 4 percentage points from last week.

Livestock remain in good condition, and producers have started turning out cows and calves onto pastureland. Overall, Iowa's agricultural outlook for spring remains strong.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski