Wet and cold conditions across much of Iowa slowed field work or even brought it to a standstill for the week ending May 15, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were just 2.2 days suitable for fieldwork. There were some reports of frost in low-lying areas. Farmers in west central Iowa reported just 1.9 days suitable for fieldwork.
Topsoil moisture levels statewide rated 1 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Ratings in west central Iowa were 78 percent adequate and 22 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture levels statewide 1 percent short, 83 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Similar to last week, the western third of Iowa reported the largest percentages of surplus and adequate subsoil moisture levels. In west central Iowa ratings were 77 percent adequate and 23 percent surplus.
Eighty-eight percent of the corn crop has been planted (86 percent in WC Iowa), a day behind last year, but four days ahead of the 5-year average. Farmers in north central and central Iowa are close to completion with 97 percent or more of the corn crop planted. Fifty-one percent of corn has emerged, five days ahead of the average.
Forty-three percent of the soybean acreage has been planted, 2 days ahead of normal. In west central Iowa 29 percent has been planted. There were scattered reports of soybeans emerged.
Hay condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 71 percent good to excellent; benefitting from the added moisture during the week.
Iowa preliminary weather summary by Harry Hillaker, state climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship: Wet and slightly warmer than normal weather prevailed across Iowa from Sunday through Wednesday, May 8-11. Rain was widespread on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday with about one-half of the week’s total falling on Tuesday. Much cooler weather dominated for the remainder of the reporting week with rain falling over all but far southwest Iowa on Friday, May 13. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday were dry.
A light freeze was reported over parts of northwest Iowa on Saturday morning, May 14, with a 30 degree temperature at Sheldon. Freezing weather was more widespread on Sunday morning, May 15, especially across the northeast where Cresco, Decorah and Elkader all reported 27 degree minimums.
Tuesday and Wednesday were the warmest days with high temperatures of 79 degrees recorded at Lamoni and Osceola on Tuesday and at Burlington on Wednesday.
Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged from two degrees below normal southwest to four to six degrees subnormal over the north. Heaviest rains, for the third time in the past four weeks, fell across the west one-third of the state, although there were smaller areas of heavy rain elsewhere (especially east central).
Weekly rain totals were above normal over the west one-third of the state, and parts of east central and southeast Iowa. Weekly rain totals varied from 0.31 inches at Eldora to 4.55 inches at Shenandoah. The statewide average precipitation was 1.45 inches while normal for the week is 1.03 inches.
Soil temperatures at the four inch depth were averaging in the low 50s north and middle and upper 50s south as of Sunday, May 15.
