Ten percent of corn planted statewide

Colder temperatures and a variety of precipitation limited farmers to 2.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 23, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Much-needed rain in the western part of Iowa helped to improve State level moisture supplies. Corn, soybean, and oat planting continued last week, although at a reduced pace due to the cold, wet weather.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 18 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 28 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.

Ten percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, nine days ahead of last year but equal to the 5-year average. Five percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 10 days ahead of last year and three days ahead of the average. Sixty-seven percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 11 days ahead of last year and four days ahead of normal. Ten percent of the oat crop has emerged, three days ahead of last year.

Calving continues with some cattle let out to pasture. Livestock were doing well although some lots are muddy.

“All forms of precipitation were reported across Iowa with severe storms bringing hail and a few weak tornadoes along with wintry precipitation at the beginning and end of the reporting period,” wrote Iowa Department of Agriculture Climatologist Justin Glisan in the report. “Iowa’s northwestern two-thirds were unseasonably wet with many stations observing over a half inch of above-average precipitation.”