Iowa farmers made steady progress in the fields during the first week of June, despite scattered showers and thunderstorms that brought much-needed moisture to parts of the state.
According to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there were 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 7, slightly ahead of the 4.7 days recorded during the same week last year.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says late-week rainfall provided relief to drier areas, particularly across southern and eastern Iowa. However, he noted that farmers hoping to finish first-cutting hay and other field work this week may face additional interruptions as more rounds of showers and thunderstorms are forecast.
Corn planting across Iowa is now 98 percent complete, just one percentage point behind last year’s pace. Corn emergence reached 92 percent, slightly ahead of last year, and the crop remains in strong condition, with 84 percent rated good to excellent.
Soybean planting is 97 percent complete, matching last year’s pace. Eighty-six percent of the soybean crop has emerged, just behind last year, while 80 percent of the crop is rated good to excellent.
Oat crops continue to perform well, with emergence reaching 99 percent and 84 percent of the crop rated in good to excellent condition.
Moisture conditions improved following recent rainfall. Topsoil moisture is rated 76 percent adequate to surplus statewide, while subsoil moisture is rated 74 percent adequate to surplus.
Pastures are also benefiting from the moisture, with 74 percent rated good to excellent.
Forecasters are calling for temperatures to climb into the 90s this week, along with additional chances for thunderstorms, creating a mixed outlook for farmers balancing crop development and field work.