Rain events and cool weather slowed planting in Iowa during the week ending April 26, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork; west central farmers had even less time in the field, with 2.3 days. Activities for the week included manure hauling, tillage, anhydrous application, and limited planting.
Topsoil moisture levels statewide improved 10 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Ratings in west central Iowa were 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture levels statewide rated 2 percent very short, 14 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Ratings in west central Iowa were 1 percent very short, 13 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.
Statewide, 14 percent of the corn acreage has been planted, just ahead of last year, but four days behind the 5-year average. Farmers in central Iowa led the way with more than one-quarter of their corn crop planted, but west central farmers are lagging, with just 10 percent of their corn planted.
Eighty-five percent of the oat crop has been planted, almost two weeks ahead of last year, and one week ahead of average. West central farmers are just a bit ahead on that, with 90 percent of their oats planted. Oats emerged reached 41 percent (61 percent in west central Iowa), nine days ahead of last year, and one day ahead of normal. North central and northeast Iowa lagged behind, with only 22 and 23 percent of oats emerged, respectively.
Pasture condition improved to 56 percent good to excellent. Pastures continued to green up, though cool weather has slowed growth. Cattle and hog conditions were reported as good. Poultry producers were concerned with the recent outbreak of avian influenza.
Iowa preliminary weather summary, by Harry Hillaker, state climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship:
The past reporting week brought unseasonably cool weather throughout the week with the exception of far northwest Iowa, where temperatures climbed above normal on Friday (April 24).
Freezes were widespread the mornings of Wednesday and Thursday (April 22 and 23) with scattered freezes on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. Temperatures fell as low as 23 degrees at Sibley on Wednesday morning, 22 degrees at Cresco, Decorah and Elkader on Thursday morning and 24 degrees at Elkader on Saturday morning. A hard freeze occurred as far south as the Missouri border on Thursday morning in valley bottom locations.
On the other extreme, Friday afternoon temperatures reached 76 degrees at Hawarden and Sioux City.
Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged from two degrees below normal over the far northwest to eight degrees below normal across the northeast one-third of Iowa. The statewide average temperature for the week was 6.2 degrees below normal.
