Iowa corn crop nearly planted as farmers get rain break

Iowa farmers were able to finish planting 96 percent of the season's corn acreage in the week that ended Sunday, two days ahead of last year and six days ahead of the five-year average.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service said growers had 5.5 days available for field work, getting a break from the rain in recent weeks. Some fields in the northern third of the state will needed to be replanted due to excessive soil moisture.

Corn has emerged on 75 percent of the crop, on pace with last year, but four days ahead of normal. The first corn condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 62 percent good, and 11 percent excellent.

Iowa soybean farmers have planted 74 percent of their crop, almost a week ahead of last year. Twenty-one percent of the soybeans have emerged, two days behind last year, but equal to the five-year average.

'Farmers will be anxious to plant the remaining acres of corn and soybeans, but could be delayed again as wet weather is forecast for much of the state,” Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey said in a news release.

Topsoil moisture levels increased to 5 percent short, 84 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent short, 85 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay advanced to 19 percent complete. Hay conditions improved slightly to 75 percent good to excellent.

Pasture condition also improved to 76 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were described as generally good with some feedlots starting to dry up after excessive rainfall.

At the Dyersville Sales hay auction on May 18, the market was firm to higher. The top price on second crop big square bales was $210 per ton.

New crop hay is expected to begin showing up for auction on Wednesday. The winterkill is worse then expected and the older stands of hay are looking tough.