News

Wet weather slows Iowa’s planting progress

Wet conditions continued to delay planting in parts of Iowa last week, especially southwest Iowa where about 20 percent of the corn crop remains to be planted.

Corn emergence reached 81 percent, four days ahead of normal.  The first corn condition rating of the season was 79 percent good to excellent. Some farmers are evaluating the need to replant corn in low-lying areas.

Iowa soybean planting, at 70 percent complete, has fallen behind last year’s pace for the first time this year.

“Planting progress continues, but the wet weather has slowed it considerably from the record pace at the start of the season,” says Iowa secretary of agriculture Bill Northey.  “Much of the state remains at or ahead of the five-year average, but the southwest part of the state has been challenged by wet conditions and as a result planting has lagged behind.  Farmers across the state are anxious to finish planting and move on to spraying and other field work.”