Dry, warmer weather helps Iowa farmers plant corn, soybeans

The dry, warmer weather of the past week allowed Iowa farmers to speed up the planting of corn and soybeans.

The Iowa Crops and Weather from USDA National Agricultural Statistics on Monday reported that 90 percent of the 2012 corn crop is in the ground after planting advanced 26 percent in the week that ended Sunday. Northwest Iowa had the largest increase with 39 percent, with each district of the state increasing at least 19 percent.

There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week, compared with just 1.5 days the previous week.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated zero percent very short, 9 percent short, 83 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 4 percent very short, 16 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus.

Corn planting is 5 percent ahead of last year's 85 percent and the five-year average of 79 percent. West Central Iowa producers lead the way for corn planting with 96 percent complete.

Fifty-five percent of the corn crop has emerged, six days ahead of normal. In East Central Iowa, 83 percent of the corn crop has been planted and 48 percent has emerged.

Soybean planting is 39 percent complete, just ahead of last year's 36 percent and the five-year average of 30 percent. Soybeans have emerged in each district of the state.

Thirty-one percent of the soybean crop has been planted on East Central Iowa.

Ninety-five percent of the oat acreage has emerged, ahead of last year's 86 percent and the five-year average of 76 percent. Seven percent of the oat crop has headed, 19 days ahead of normal. Oat condition improved to 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 64 percent good, and 16 percent excellent.

Seventy-three percent of Iowa's pasture and range land is rated good to excellent, equal to the previous week. Pasture and range condition rated 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 25 percent excellent.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said the weather outlook for this week is positive and he expects farmers to finish planting the state's corn crop in the next week to 10 days.