Iowa farmers made major planting progress last week as warm, dry weather allowed nearly all of the state’s corn and soybeans to be planted.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the conditions helped farmers make strong progress, but added that rain will be welcome as crops begin to emerge and become established.
According to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, there were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 31. Corn planting reached 97% complete, matching last year’s pace. Corn emergence reached 87%, which is 2 percentage points ahead of last year. Corn condition was rated 82% good to excellent.
Soybean planting reached 95% complete, also unchanged from last year. Soybean emergence reached 74%, while soybean condition was rated 79% good to excellent.
The statewide average temperature last week was 73.2 degrees, 8.7 degrees above normal. Statewide average precipitation was 0.47 inches, below the normal of 1.14 inches.
