Regional corn, soybean planting ahead of state pace

DES MOINES — Southeast Iowa’s corn and soybean planting process seems to be coming along faster than in other parts of the state, according to the latest weekly crop progress data released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The region’s corn is 24% planted, according to the report, with Soy at 16%. That’s compared to state levels, with corn planted reached 18% — three days ahead of last year and five days ahead of the 5-year average — and 11% of the expected soybean crop planted — 3 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Both are the furthest along of any region in the Hawkeye state, although the Northwest area is tied with Southeast Iowa’s corn planting progress.

Oat seeding across the state and region is a few days behind last year’s pace but still ahead of average, at 68% and 67%, respectively. Statewide, 23% of the oat crop has emerged, compared to 24% locally.

Iowa farmers averaged 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork last week, according to the USDA and National Agricultural Statistics Service. Southeast Iowa, however, had more than most other regions, at 6.1 days. In addition to planting, other ag activities largely included tiling, building waterways and spraying when winds allowed.

Soil moisture conditions follow a typical bell curve at the moment for Southeast Iowa. For topsoil, 4% of the region is “very short” on moisture, with 30% short, 58% adequate, 8% facing a moisture surplus. Statewide, the levels for the week were 6% very short, 22% short, 69% adequate and 3% surplus.

Subsoil moisture paints a similar picture. Southeast Iowa’s levels were 3% very short, 21% short, 71% adequate and 2% surplus, compared to state averages of 7%, 30%, 61% and 2%.

As of April 15, the Iowa Drought Monitor showed zero moisture shortage in Henry, Muscatine or Louisa counties. Swaths of Washington, Jefferson and Des Moines counties, however, are “abnormally dry,” the lowest level of drought intensity flagged by the website.

“Thunderstorms brought above-normal rainfall to swaths of northern and southern Iowa, however several stations reported no measurable totals,” said Iowa Department of Agriculture State Climatologist Justin Glisan in the USDA’s weekly report. “Temperatures were several degrees warmer across the state with Iowa’s average temperature at 52.6 degrees, 3.2 degrees above normal.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com