Spring planting is getting underway across the state.
Farmers across Iowa had around three days suitable for fieldwork last week. Iowa Secretary of Ag Mike Naig says planters temporarily stopped rolling last week as severe storms and heavy rains moved through.
There are more chances for rain and storms this week, so Naig says farmers will be looking for windows of opportunity to get into the field – especially as that severe weather potential threatens for the weekend. And warmer temperatures are forecasted this week too, which should continue to help green up those hay fields and pastures – that’s what Hopkinton area farmer Dan Beitz is hoping for.
But Beitz says so far this spring, things are going good.
This week’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA says corn planted has reached 13 percent complete – that’s three days ahead of last year and the five-year average. Eight percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted – that’s four days ahead of last year and six days ahead of normal. Seventy-eight percent of the expected oat crop has been planted – one week ahead of last year and eight days ahead of the five-year average. Thirty-four percent of the oat crop has emerged – that’s about ten days earlier than last year.
Beitz was our first winner of the 2024 Plantin’ Snack Sacks contest on KMCH on Monday. Jon Swisher deliver him a bag of snacks and goodies from our many sponsors. Farmers and ag workers are welcome to sign up for a chance to win through May 10th! Just go to https://kmch.com/plantin-snack-sacks/.
