Much needed rain in the western portion of Iowa last week helped improve state-level moisture supplies, according to the most recent crop progress report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The report says corn, soybean, and oat planting continued, although at a reduced pace due to the cold, wet weather. Slightly over three days were suitable for fieldwork in northwest Iowa last week, with 2.5 days suitable statewide.
11-percent of corn in northwest Iowa has now been planted. Ten-percent of corn has been planted statewide, which is nine days ahead of last year, and equal to the five-year average.
Four-percent of northwest Iowa soybeans have been planted. Five-percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted statewide, which is ten days ahead of last year, and three days ahead of the average.
30-percent of northwest Iowa’s topsoil is either short or very short of moisture, with 66-percent adequate, and two-percent surplus.
