Weather accelerates crop emergence, slows planting

Warm but wet weather meant Iowa farmers had just 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 14, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. The warmth helped crop emergence this week; however, the wet conditions marginally slowed planting progress. Farmers were still planting corn, soybeans, and oats during the dry periods of the week. Other reports of interest were concerns for isolated flooding and for a swath of large hail across the central portion of the State.

“Iowa experienced unseasonably wet conditions as a very active storm track brought several waves of showers and thunderstorms,” Iowa Department of Agriculture State Climatologist Justin Glisan said in his weekly report. “The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.72 inches, more than double the normal of 0.85 inches.”

Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 14 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 23 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Eighty-six percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, eight days ahead of last year and one week ahead of the 5-year average. Thirty-five percent of the corn crop has emerged, six days ahead of last year and two days ahead of the average. One-fifth of Iowa’s expected soybean crop was planted during the week ending May 14, 2023, for a total of 69 percent planted, just over a week ahead of both last year and the average. Nineteen percent of soybeans have emerged, nine days ahead of last year and five days ahead of normal. Nearly all the oat crop has been planted with 83 percent emerged, nine days ahead of last year and five days ahead of the average. The first oat condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 20 percent fair, 64 percent good and 13 percent excellent.

Hay condition improved to 72 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition jumped to 53 percent good to excellent. Reports of livestock turned out to pasture and grazing were received.