Rain, cold temperatures slow fieldwork

Fieldwork was slow in the week ending April 20 because of rain and cool temperatures, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture weekly crop report.

Average temperatures were below normal for the week with light rain or snow falling across most of the state on Monday, April 14, and a hard freeze reported on Tuesday morning. Temperatures started to rise by the end of the week.

Statewide, there were 3.2 suitable days for fieldwork, which included applying fertilizer, anhydrous and herbicides, seeding, and disking.

'Corn planting is just starting to get underway and will likely accelerate rapidly if temperatures continue to increase,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey in a statement. 'Much of the state remains fairly dry and will need more moisture for the growing season.”

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 6 percent very short, 22 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 16 percent very short, 39 percent short, 44 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

The report said that 51 percent of oats have been planted, which is 29 percentage points ahead of last year but 17 percentage points behind average. A few farmers reported corn being planted.

Pasture condition rated 11 percent very poor, 23 percent poor, 48 percent fair abd 18 percent good. Livestock conditions were reported as good, but most cattle have not yet been moved onto pastures.

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