Storms early last week slowed the progress of Iowa farmers, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Statewide there were only 2.6 days suitable for field work, although farmers in west central Iowa had 3.7 work days. Additionally, average temperatures were several degrees below normal.
Topsoil moisture levels across the state improved. Ratings as of Sunday (May 18) were 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus. Topsoil moisture levels in west central Iowa rated 2 percent very short, 9 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture levels also improved. Statewide ratings were 7 percent very short, 25 percent short, 62 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. In west central Iowa subsoil moisture levels were rated as 8 percent very short, 35 percent short, 47 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus.
West central Iowa farmers have 94 percent of their corn and 48 percent of their soybeans planted. Thirty-nine percent of the corn has emerged. Statewide, 84 percent of the corn and 40 percent of the soybeans are planted. Twenty-eight percent of the corn has emerged.
Preliminary weather summary, IDALS state climatologist Harry Hillaker – Rainfall totals varied from .31 inches at Sibley to 4.09 inches near Osceola. The statewide average precipitation was 1.79 inches compared to a normal for the week of 1.05 inches. Severe weather was prevalent in several locations Sunday evening, May 11, including in nearby Guthrie County where two tornadoes touched down at Panora. Volunteer weather observer John Beltz reported 2.67 inches of Mother’s Day rain, with a total of 2.75 inches for the week that ended May 16 at 6 am. Beltz reported a high temperature of 82 degrees May 11 and a low temperature of 34 degrees Friday morning, May 16.
Cool weather predominated, with temperatures averaging 10 to 20 degrees below normal from Tuesday through Saturday. The western half of the state saw a freeze Friday morning. Low temperature in the state was 24 degrees in Spencer Friday morning. High temperature in Iowa was 99 degrees in Le Claire Monday afternoon (May 12).
Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged from 5 degrees below normal over the east to 11 degrees below normal across the northwest, with a statewide average of 8.1 degrees subnormal.
