Cool, wet weather hinders Iowa farmers

Cool temperatures and persistent wet conditions hindered Iowa farmers' fieldwork in the week that ended on Sunday, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Farmers reported standing water in some fields and the need to replant in some areas. There only were 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork.

Ninety-seven percent of the corn crop has been planted, behind last year's progress for the first time this season. Emerged corn reached 90 percent, just two days ahead of last year and the five-year average.

Eighty percent of the corn crop was rated good to excellent.

Soybean planting reached 78 percent complete, a week behind 2014, and four days behind the five-year average. Southwest Iowa at 37 percent and south central Iowa at 50 percent continued to lag behind in the planting of their expected soybean acreage.

Soybean emergence reached 53 percent, slightly behind last year and normal.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated 2 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 22 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 6 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 15 percent surplus.

Southwest and south central Iowa each reported 50 percent surplus topsoil moisture levels.

Frequent rains continued to slow progress on the first cutting of alfalfa hay with just 18 percent complete. Hay conditions were rated 82 percent good to excellent.

At the Dyersville Sales hay auction on Wednesday, the top price of $215 per ton was paid for third crop large square bales from Kansas. Round bales brought $140 per ton

The top price at the Fort Atkinson Hay Auction on Wednesday was $215 per ton on three loads of third crop small square bales.

Alfalfa hay prices have fallen $40 per ton from a year ago to $135, according to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.