Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agronomists have completed their spring survey of subsoil moisture in Northwest Iowa. Area Agronomist Leah Ten Napel says the levels in Northwest Iowa are about average overall:
Readings in soils at ten sites in nine Northwest Iowa locations show a range from 6.98 inches of plant available moisture in Akron to 10.25 inches in Doon. She says there was quite a range:
Ten Napel says 10 to 11 inches of plant available moisture are considered a full soil profile:
The survey was taken on April 14, so additional rainfall since then adds to the profile.
Ten Napel says that planting progress is about right on schedule in Northwest Iowa:
According to the latest USDA Crop Progress Report that was released earlier this week, 24% of corn and 13% of soybeans are now planted in Northwest Iowa.
The full details of the Subsoil Moisture Survey can be found on the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach website.
