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Iowa welcomes rain, planting pace remains ahead of normal

Much of Iowa received welcome precipitation last week.

In its latest weekly crop update, the USDA says topsoil moisture improved to 66 percent adequate to surplus, compared to 63 percent a week ago.

Corn planting advanced to 94 percent complete, almost two weeks ahead of the five-year average.  Corn emergence jumped 30 percentage points to 52 percent, four days ahead of normal.

For soybeans, 83 percent of the intended crop is planted, and 24 percent has emerged.  The planting pace is 18 days faster than average.

Iowa farmers are also spraying, applying anhydrous and dry fertilizer, as well as cleaning terraces and fence rows.