DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey commented Monday on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service.
“A lot of field work was done last week and many farmers were able to get a start on corn planting, with 7 percent now planted. The rain this weekend was welcomed in most of the state and is helping to replenish soil moisture levels and green up pastures,” Northey said.
The weekly report is also available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov or on USDA's site at www.nass.usda.gov/ia. The report summary follows here:
A productive week of fieldwork was halted by weekend rains in Iowa during the week ending April 19, 2015, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Statewide there were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Activities for the week included manure hauling, tillage, oat seeding, anhydrous application, and some corn planting.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 13 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 2 percent very short, 18 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. North central Iowa reported the highest topsoil moisture level with 98 percent in adequate to surplus, while west central and north central Iowa reported the highest subsoil moisture levels with both at 90 percent adequate to surplus.
Seven percent of the corn acreage has been planted, 4 days ahead of last year, but equal to the 5-year average. Nearly one-third of the State’s expected oat crop was planted during the week, third highest percentage seeded for the third week of April in 20 years. Seventy-four percent of the oat crop has been planted, over two weeks ahead of last year, and one week ahead of the average. Oats emerged reached 21 percent, one week ahead of last year, but fractionally behind normal.
Pasture condition improved to 52 percent good to excellent. Pastures continued to green up, with reports coming out of central Iowa of cows being moved to pasture. Livestock conditions were reported as good.