Dry weather allowed Iowa farmers to make excellent progress in spring planting during the week ending May 3, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork; there were 5.4 days suitable in west central Iowa. Although the primary activity during the week was planting, other activities included fertilizer and herbicide application, as well as seedbed preparation.
Topsoil moisture levels statewide rated 11 percent short, 84 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Ratings in west central Iowa were 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 88 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture levels statewide rated 2 percent very short, 13 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Ratings in west central Iowa were 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 86 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. North central Iowa reported the highest topsoil moisture level with 99 percent rated adequate to surplus, while southwest Iowa recorded the highest subsoil moisture at 97 adequate to surplus.
More than one-half of Iowa’s corn acreage was planted last week, the largest percentage planted during this week in more than 20 years. Sixty-eight percent of the corn crop has been planted, eight days ahead of last year and the 5-year average, and compared to 14 percent a week earlier. Farmers in central Iowa led the way with 80 percent of their corn crop planted. West central Iowa farmers reported 62 percent of their corn acres planted. Despite progress made in planting, corn emergence remains behind normal.
Soybean planting reached 11 percent complete (8 percent in west central Iowa), five days ahead of 2014, and four days ahead of the average. Ninety-six percent of the oat crop has been planted, nearly two weeks ahead of last year, and 12 days ahead of normal. Oats emerged reached 63 percent, one week ahead of last year, and four days ahead of normal. Emergence continues to lag behind in north central and northeast Iowa, with only 55 and 50 percent of oats emerged, respectively.
Pasture condition improved to 64 percent good to excellent. Pastures are starting to come along with the warmer temperatures, though cool weather slowed growth throughout the beginning of the season. There were reports of cattle being turned onto pasture and spring calving nearing completion. Poultry producers are still concerned with the recent outbreak of avian influenza.
Iowa preliminary weather summary, by Harry Hillaker, state climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship: Temperatures were near seasonal norms with afternoon highs in the 60s and 70s through Saturday with much warmer weather arriving on Sunday, May 3, when highs were in the mid-70s northeast to upper-80s over the northwest portion of Iowa.
Temperature extremes ranged from a Thursday, April 30, morning low of 30 degrees at Elkader to a Sunday afternoon high of 89 degrees at Little Sioux. Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged near normal over the southeast to about four degrees above normal over the northwest corner of Iowa with a statewide average of 2.3 degrees above normal.
Dry weather prevailed over most of Iowa from Monday, April 27, through Thursday. Light rain was scattered across the west one-half of the state on Friday, May 1, with showers and thunderstorms over the south one-half of Iowa on Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms were more widespread on Sunday evening and night, but came too late to be reflected in this week’s report.
Weekly rain totals varied from none over much of the northeast one-quarter of Iowa, and along the Minnesota border, to 0.91 inches near Hastings in Mills County of southwest Iowa. The statewide average precipitation was only 0.13 inches, while normal for the week is 0.98 inches. The warmer weekend weather pushed soil temperatures at the four inch depth to the low- to mid-60s as of Sunday.
