Iowa’s mix of winter and spring weather continues – hindering much progress in the fields.
This week’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report says snow, high winds and cold temps limited Iowa farmers to just under three days suitable for fieldwork this past week. Farmers have been applying anhydrous and fertilizer, spreading manure, tilling fields, and planting oats where possible while preparing to plant row crops.
Twenty-nine percent of the expected oat crop has been planted – that’s eight days behind last year and three days behind the 5-year average – with some oats beginning to emerge across the state.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig soil temperatures are still hovering in the upper 30s and low 40s, but outlooks are pointing to warmer temperatures for the week ahead.
