Farmers in Northwest Iowa continue to make strong strides in planting progress, with both corn and soybeans surpassing statewide averages.
According to the latest report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, 97% of corn has been planted in Northwest Iowa, slightly ahead of the statewide completion rate of 95%. Corn emergence also leads the state, reaching 85%, compared to the statewide average of 76%. Corn condition is rated as 0% very poor, 2% poor, 15% fair, 62% good and 21% excellent.
Soybeans show similar progress, with 95% planted in Northwest Iowa—above the 92% statewide rate—and emergence reaching 70%, outpacing the state’s 60%. Soybean conditions rated 1% very poor, 2% poor, 17% fair, 64% good and 16% excellent.
Weather conditions played a key role in shaping field activity. While Northwest Iowa recorded weekly rainfall totals between 0.49 inches and 1.50 inches, the statewide average precipitation was 2.10 inches, significantly above the normal 1.10 inches. However, cooler-than-average temperatures in the upper 60s and low 70s have slowed drying in some areas.
With last week’s precipitation, soil moisture levels have shown improvement. Topsoil moisture in Northwest Iowa stands at 3% very short, 18% short, 78% adequate (an increase of 34% from last week), and 1% surplus, reflecting drier conditions compared to the statewide averages of 4% very short and 15% short. Similarly, subsoil moisture in Northwest Iowa is 5% very short and 32% short (slightly worse than the state’s 5% very short and 23% short), along with 62% adequate, a positive increase of 8% over last week.
Farmers in Northwest Iowa had only 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork, below the statewide average of 3.8 days. While limited working days have slowed some activities, many farmers are waiting for warmer and drier conditions before proceeding with spraying and additional field operations.
The full report can be found at the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service Iowa Field Office website.
