Rains slow planting again in last week

Persistent rainfalls brought planting to a halt in much of south central Iowa last week and slowed progress in the remainder of the state, according to the USDA's weekly Crop Report.

As of Sunday, May 29, 99 percent of Iowa's corn acreage had been planted and 90 percent of the corn plants had emerged. The USDA found 87 percent of the soybean acreage had been planted, and 52 percent of the soybean plants had emerged.

Farmers had only 2.1 days suitable for field work during the week.

Crop progress overall remained slightly below last year, but ahead of the five-year average.

“The showers over the past week have slowed the planting progress across much of the state," Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said. " Farmers are looking for dryer weather this week so they can finish planting and weed control."

For the 18 major corn and soybean-producing states, crop progress remained substantially behind average for the week.

The USDA reported 51 percent of soybeans planted as of Sunday, compared to a five-year average of 71 percent on that date, and only 86 percent of corn planted versus a five-year average of 95 percent.

Iowa Rainfall averaged 1.9 inches for the week, nearly double average. Temperatures averaged 1.8 degrees below normal.

Rainfall across Iowa ranged from 0.57 inches at Sibley to 4.11 inches at Osceola. Rainfall at Cedar Rapids totaled 1.58 inches, the report said, while rainfall at Iowa City totaled 1.97 inches. Temperatures averaged 4 degrees below normal in both locations.