Dry conditions and warming temperatures helped Iowa farmers last week.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Crop Progress Report, nearly two days were suitable for fieldwork in northwest Iowa, and 3.5 days were suitable statewide. Warmer weather led to an overall increase in livestock conditions.
Three-percent of oats have been planted in northwest Iowa. 13-percent of the expected oat crop has been planted statewide, which is one day ahead of last year, but one day behind the five-year average. There were limited reports of oats beginning to emerge.
23-percent of topsoil in northwest Iowa is either short or very short of moisture, the same amount as the previous week.
