Iowa corn planting stands at 64 percent completed

DES MOINES ? Corn planting in Iow is 64 percent complete according to the Iowa Crops and Weather report released Monday by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.

The weekly report is available April through October on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship?s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.

According to Monday?s report, Iowa?s planting progress was slowed by persistent rain and thunderstorms that swept through the state, and farmers are looking for a stretch of clear weather to help dry out the fields so planting can resume.

Even with limited opportunities, farmers managed to advance corn planting 14 percentage points. Corn planting now stands at 64 percent complete, ahead of last year?s 52 percent and the five-year average of 58 percent. Northwest Iowa producers lead the way for corn planting with 76 percent complete. Twenty-three percent of the corn crop has emerged, four days ahead of normal.

Soybean planting was 7 percent complete, equal to last year, but behind the five-year average of 11 percent. Southeast and Southwest Iowa are the most advanced with 14 percent of their soybeans planted. Oat planting was nearly complete. Ninety percent of the expected oat acreage has emerged, ahead of last year?s 78 percent and the five-year average of 64 percent. Oats have begun heading in some areas. Oat condition improved to zero percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 63 percent good and 15 percent excellent.