Iowa Farmers Are Still Limited Going Into The Growing Season

Farmers are continuing to battle with rain, wind, and cold that delay spring planting. According to the USDA, this week, Iowa was left with 2.3 days that were suitable for fieldwork which is down from 2.8 days the week prior. In Northeast Iowa, there were 2.5 days suitable for fieldwork.

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Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig commented on the report saying that while the weather might not be ideal, soil temperatures are on the rise.

It was another active weather week with additional periods of severe thunderstorms and locally heavy rainfall. Cooler temperatures and windy conditions also persisted, though soil temperatures are slowly rising. Soil temperatures are at or above 50 degrees for much of the southern two-thirds of Iowa.

This week, some farmers across the state did report limited corn and soybean planting as well as oats, however, the primary field activities for the week were applying anhydrous and fertilizer.

Oat Crops

Iowa is currently 10 days behind last year when it comes to planting oats with 47 percent of oats planted. We do have some oat crops emerging with 8 percent statewide.

In northeast Iowa, 40 percent of expected oat crops have been planted with 2 percent emerging.

Topsoil Moisture Levels Statewide and the Northeast

According to the report, topsoil moisture levels in the state rated 4 percent very short, 18 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus.

In Northeast Iowa, topsoil moisture rated 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 87 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus.

Subsoil Moisture Levels Statewide and the Northeast

The report says subsoil moisture levels in the state rated 9 percent very short, 29 percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus.

In Northeast Iowa, subsoil moisture rated 1 percent very short, 7 percent short, 83 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.

This update comes from information gathered between 7 am April 18 through 7 am April 24, 2022.