Iowa Crop Progress & Condition Report – May 16

Farmers have been making significant progress across much of the state.

Monday’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA says farmers had over five days suitable for fieldwork this past week.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the drier and warmer weather was a big boost for farmers. He says as we look ahead, weather outlooks show promise in keeping planters rolling and farmers busy in the fields. 

Farmers planted 43-percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop this past week to reach 57-percent planted – that’s two weeks behind last year and nine days behind the five-year average. Eight-percent of the corn crop has emerged.

Meanwhile, thirty-four percent of soybeans have been planted – just over two weeks behind last year and one week behind the five-year average. Just three-percent of soybeans have emerged.

Eighty-nine percent of the expected oat crop is in the ground – 16 days behind last year and ten days behind the five-year average. Fifty-eight percent of the oat crop has emerged.

And some farmers have started their first cutting of alfalfa, with Iowa’s hay condition rating improving to 68-percent good to excellent.