Cool, rainy weather expected to further delay Iowa corn planting

Cooler temperatures and rain forecast to arrive Wednesday are expected to further delay corn planting in Iowa.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's weekly crop progress report indicated that farmers planted a small amount of corn over the weekend as temperatures warmed into the 70s. Planting of oats advanced but is still running well behind normal.

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey said planting may occur in some areas of the state over the next several days. Northey noted that the weather is expected to turn much cooler, with overnight lows dipping into the upper 30s by Friday and high temperatures falling into the mid-40s on Thursday.

Corn for May delivery rose 40 cents, or 6.2 percent, to $6.84 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade, on concern that the cool, wet weather will reduce overall yields for the season.

Ground temperatures in the 50s are necessary for corn to germinate. Last year at this time, corn planting stood at 44 percent complete, ahead of the five-year average of 36 percent.

"This April has been the wettest we have seen in the 141 years of weather records compiled by the state climatologist, and the result has been a very slow start to the planting season," Northey said.

There was an average of two days suitable for fieldwork during the week that ended Sunday, according to the USDA report. Field activities included tilling and application of fertilizers and herbicides.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent very short, 7 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 13 percent very short, 31 percent short, 51 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.

If the weather improves next week and soil temperatures rise, Northey said farmers have a chance to plant before May 10 - considered the end of the normal corn planting period. After that, yields may decline because the plants are unlikely to be exposed to as many days of sun and warm temperatures.

Most farmers plant soybeans after they have finished planting corn. Northey said soybean yields also could be affected.

The USDA report showed oat planting is 45 percent complete, considerably behind the 97 percent planted at this time in 2012. The five-year average is 79 percent.

Hay prices continue to be an issue for livestock producers with some second crop small square bails fetching $455 per ton last Wednesday at the

Fort Atkinson Hay Auction. The USDA rated pasture and range condition 16 percent very poor, 23 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 19 percent good and 2 percent excellent.