The Iowa corn planting season has officially begun, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has seen plenty of field work conducted thus far. Northey commented on the progress on April 20 with the release of the most recent Iowa Crops and Weather report, issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistical Service.
“A lot of field work was done last week and many farmers were able to get a start on corn planting, with 7 percent now planted” Northey said. “The rain this weekend was welcomed in most of the state and is helping to replenish soil moisture levels and green up pastures.”
The fieldwork that was being conducted had to come to a halt as a result of weekend rains in the third week of April. These activities included hauling, tillage, oat seeding and corn planting. However, the soil was able to receive necessary moisture during this period.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 13 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. North central Iowa had the highest topsoil moisture level with 98 percent adequate.
A total of 7 percent of the state’s corn acreage has been planted thus far, beginning four days ahead of last year. Approximately one-third of Iowa’s oat crop was planted over the past week as well.
The weekly Iowa Crops and Weather report can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website or on the USDA’s official site.