Subsoil moisture levels still lagging despite rain
Farmers in west central Iowa had a better week than most Iowa farmers for the week ending April 27. According to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, statewide there were 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork, but in west central Iowa, farmers had 3.6 days to work. Farmers in northwest Iowa were the only ones to have more time in the field at 4.0 days.
Planting progress statewide is ahead of last year but behind the five-year average. Statewide, 68 percent of the oats and 15 percent of the corn are planted. In west central Iowa, 91 percent of the oats and 27 percent of the corn are planted.
Soil moisture levels improved from last week. Topsoil moisture levels statewide rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. In west central Iowa, topsoil moisture was 6 percent very short, 13 percent short, 73 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.
Subsoil moisture levels statewide were rated 14 percent very short, 36 percent short, 46 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Ratings in west central Iowa changed very little from last week, at 19 percent very short, 44 percent sort, 33 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.
According to state climatologist Harry Hilliker of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, weather was fairly typical for late April in Iowa. Temperature extremes varied from afternoon highs of 85 degrees Sunday, April 20, in Jefferson, Little Sioux, Logan, Rockwell City and Sioux City, to a low of 26 degrees in Sheldon Tuesday morning, April 22. Low temperature in Jefferson for the week was 39 degrees Tuesday morning. Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged 3.0 degrees above normal.
All parts of Iowa received rain during the week, with amounts ranging from 0.16 in Sheldon and Sibley to 4.02 inches in Rowan and 3.77 inches in Mason City. Unofficially, Jefferson received 1.06 inches of rain. The statewide average precipitation was 1.09 inches, slightly more than the weekly normal of 0.93 inches.
