Iowa farmers' corn planting progress slowest since 1993

Wet conditions during the week that ended on Sunday continued to significantly delay the planting of this year's corn and soybean crops, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's weekly report.

Fifteen percent of Iowa's corn acreage has been planted, compared with 86 percent at this time last year and the five-year average of 79 percent. This is the first year since 1993 that less than 20 percent of corn acres were planted by May 12.

Soybean planting was 1 percent compete, well behind last year's 34 percent and the five-year average of 30 percent. It marks the latest start to soybean planting since 1995.

Oat planting was 81 percent complete; at this time last year oat planting was complete. Forty-five percent of oat acreage has emerged, well behind last year's 94 percent and the five-year average of 77 percent.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 27 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 4 percent very short, 20 percent short and 63 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus.

Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged 2.1 degrees below normal. Weekly rain totals varied from only 0.02 inches at Hamburg in far southwest Iowa to 2.58 inches near Jamaica in Guthrie County. The statewide average precipitation was 0.72 inches while normal for the week is 1.00 inches.