The weather seemed to finally let up this past week giving farmers 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork—up from 1.8 days last week.

Statewide, the average temperature was 72.5 degrees which are 13 degrees higher than normal, according to the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report.

Farmers raced to the field to take advantage of these workdays- planting 43 percent of the expected corn crop just this week. This tripled last week’s planted crop bringing the state up from 14 to 57 percent planted. However, corn is still two weeks behind last year.

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In Northeast Iowa, 41 percent has been planted- up from 5 percent last week.

Soybeans are also two weeks behind last year with only 34 percent planted. In Northeast Iowa, 28 percent of soybeans have been planted- up from 6 percent last week.

The oat crop in Iowa is 16 days behind with 89 percent planted. So far, 58 percent of the oat crop that is expected has emerged.

With the warm weather, hay and pasture growth has improved. Looking at Iowa’s hat condition rating this week, 68 percent rated good to excellent. There are even farmers in the state starting their first cutting of alfalfa.

Pasture conditions improved to around 58 percent being ranked good to excellent.

Topsoil moisture conditions rated 1 percent very short, 11 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Northeast topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 11 percent surplus.

Subsoil moisture conditions rated 4 percent very short, 20 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Northeast subsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 5 percent short, 83 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus.

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