Farmers saw drier conditions later last week allowing them to get into the field. According to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, statewide there were around three and a half days suitable for fieldwork. However, below normal temperatures slowed crop emergence.
Southwest and South Central Districts reported 25 percent or more surplus subsoil moisture.
?After a wet start to the week, warmer and dryer weather allowed farmer to get in the fields and now just over half of the corn acres have been planted. The rain showers that rolled across parts of western and central Iowa today will slow farmers in those areas, but hopefully the return of warm dry weather will allow them back in the fields soon. If the good weather holds we will continue to see significant progress on both corn and soybean planting the next several days,? Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey said.
Almost one-quarter of the state?s expected corn acreage was planted last week. Fifty-two percent of the corn crop has been planted, remaining over a week behind last year, and slightly behind the 5-year average. Northeast Iowa has the smallest percentage of corn planted at 35 percent, while central Iowa has the most planted at 65 percent. Seven percent of the corn has emerged, 6 days behind last year, and 4 days behind average. Sixty-one percent of U.S. corn is planted with 25 percent emerged.
Nine percent of the soybean acreage has been planted, six days behind last year, and two days behind average. Twenty-one percent of the U.S. soybean crop has been planted.
