Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

May 15-21, 2023

DES MOINES, Iowa (May 22, 2023) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented today on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Damp conditions early last week eventually gave way to warmer and drier weather, which allowed many farmers across the state to wrap up planting,” said Secretary Naig. “While the haze from the Canadian wildfires will dissipate by mid-week, forecasts show the warmer and drier conditions will stick around all week.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report

Cooler than normal temperatures and relatively dry weather helped Iowa farmers to 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 21, 2023, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Farmers were still planting corn, soybeans, and oats this week, although planting activities were nearing completion.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 20 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 25 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Ninety-five percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop has been planted, 9 days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of the 5-year average. Sixty-five percent of the corn crop has emerged, 6 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the average. Eighty-four percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop has been planted, just over a week ahead of last year and nearly 2 weeks ahead of normal. Forty-three percent of soybeans have emerged, 8 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of average. Ninety-four percent of the expected oat crop has emerged, 8 days ahead of normal.Eleven percent of the oat crop has headed, 9 days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of the average. Oat condition improved to 80 percent good to excellent.

Eight percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. Hay condition declined to 66 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 58 percent good to excellent.  Reports of livestock turned out to pasture were received again this week, overall livestock conditions are good.