Iowa’s Planting Season Is Still Behind Schedule

In the last week, Iowa saw severe weather with tornadoes, snow, rain, and cold conditions which limited farmers to 2.8 days that were suitable for fieldwork, up from last week’s 2.0 days. The number of days suitable for fieldwork in the Northeast Iowa district was up from 1.1 to 2.4 says the Iowa Crop Progress and Conditions Report.

The state average temperature in the last week was 42.1 degrees, which was 6.2 degrees below normal.

Fieldwork activities that were possible during this time included applying anhydrous and fertilizer, spreading manure, tilling fields, and planting oats where possible while preparing to plant row crops.

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Topsoil Moisture Levels Statewide and the Northeast

According to the report, topsoil moisture levels in the state rated 7 percent very short, 22 percent short, 66 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus.

In Northeast Iowa, topsoil moisture rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 89 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus.

Subsoil Moisture Levels Statewide and the Northeast

The report says subsoil moisture levels in the state rated 11 percent very short, 33 percent short, 54 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

In Northeast Iowa, subsoil moisture rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 88 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus.

In the state, only 29 percent of the expected oat crop was planted which is 8 days behind last year. In Northeast Iowa, 20 percent of the oat crop was planted.

This update comes from information gathered between 7 am April 11 through 7 am April 17, 2022.

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