Iowa farmers continued to make planting progress last week despite severe storms that brought hail, high winds and tornadoes to parts of the state.
According to the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 17. Corn planting reached 88% complete, one percentage point behind last year but six points ahead of the five-year average. Forty-six percent of corn had emerged.
Soybean planting reached 80% complete, one point behind last year and 12 points ahead of the five-year average. Soybean emergence reached 28%.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the weekend rainfall was beneficial for many farmers and provided a timely boost to recently planted corn and soybeans.
Pasture condition was rated 73% good to excellent. The statewide average temperature was 63.8 degrees, 4.6 degrees above normal.
