The latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report shows planting is occurring faster than usual. The statewide survey shows 91% of Iowa’s expected 2020 corn crop is in the ground as of May 10, well ahead of last year and two weeks ahead of the five-year average. Iowa’s soybean crop is now 71% planted, a month ahead of last year and more than two weeks ahead of average.

Crops are emerging from the ground faster, and a late frost in recent days has caused some concern. Agronomists are urging farmers in those areas to check their corn and soybean stands later this week to see how their crops have fared. They say it’s best to wait at least a week or so to see how the seedlings are recovering before making any replant decisions.

“Most of the state was under frost and freeze warnings over the May 8 to May 10 weekend, and some stations set new record lows,” says Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. Temperatures also dropped to freezing and near freezing in the early morning hours of May 11-12 in some areas. “However, warmer and wetter weather is forecast towards the end of this week, which is welcome news for farmers who are closely monitoring emerging corn and soybean crops.”

Ben Fischer, farming near Denison in western Iowa, agrees. “We need to see how the frost has affected our earliest-planted corn. And we could also use some rain. Topsoil is a little on the dry side in our area.”

Crop report

The complete weekly Iowa Crop Progress and Conditions report is available on USDA’s site at nass.usda.gov/ia. Survey results are compiled by USDA in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Agriculture, and the report is released on Monday of each week.

There were 4.7 days suitable for field work in Iowa during the week ending May 10, 2020, according to USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service. Showers early in the week briefly slowed planting progress and below-normal temperatures delayed emergence.

Topsoil moisture is rated 4% very short, 15% short, 78% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture is rated 2% very short, 8% short, 86% adequate and 4% surplus.

Iowa farmers have planted 91% of the expected 2020 corn crop. The five-year average for May 10 is 66%, and last year corn planting was 45% completed by this date. Less than 5% of this year’s crop remains to be planted in northwest and north-central Iowa, while 22% remains in southwest Iowa. Corn planting progress ranges between these marks for the rest of the state. One-third of Iowa’s expected corn crop has emerged.

Iowa soybeans 71% planted

The state’s soybean crop has moved to 71% planted, as of May 10. The five-year average is 24%, and a year ago only 12% of the beans were planted at this time. This spring northwest and north-central Iowa lead the way in soybean planting with less than 20% remaining to be planted. Only 2% of Iowa’s expected oat crop remains to be planted, with 77% of the oat crop emerged.

The first oat condition rating of the season shows 0% very poor, 2% poor, 19% fair, 67% good and 12% excellent. The first hay condition rating of the season shows 0% very poor, 3% poor, 26% fair, 61% good and 10% excellent. Pasture condition is rated 62% good-to-excellent. Cooler-than-normal temperatures have slowed growth in pastures and hay fields. Livestock conditions are good with little to no stress reported.

Weather summary

Iowa experienced cooler and drier conditions during the first full week of May, reports Justin Glisan, state climatologist at the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Measurable rain was reported statewide, though most of the stations observed below-average totals.

A notable Arctic air intrusion brought below-average coldness toward the end of the May 4-10 reporting period. Temperature departures were 6 to 10 degrees below normal, with eastern Iowa experiencing the coldest conditions. The statewide average temperature was 48.9 degrees, 9 degrees below normal.

Weekly rain totals ranged from 0.10 inch at Oelwein (Fayette County) to 1.07 inches at a rain gauge in Le Claire (Scott County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.56 inch, while the normal is 0.99 inch. Clarion (Wright County) reported the week’s high temperature of 83 degrees on the May 4, which was 16 degrees above average. Elkader (Clayton County) and Stanley (Buchanan County) reported the week’s low temperature of 21 degrees on the May 9, on average 23 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low to mid 50s as of May 10.

Iowa vs. other states

Farmers in the U.S. now have 67% of the corn crop in the ground, ahead of a five-year average of 56%. Iowa has 91% planted, versus a five-year average of 66%. Illinois farmers are 68% done, versus a five-year average of 66%. Indiana has completed 51% of its corn planting, versus a five-year average of 42%. Meanwhile, 24% of the nation’s corn has emerged, versus a 22% five-year average.

USDA rates the nation’s soybean planting at 38% complete as of May 10, versus a 23% five-year average. Both Illinois and Indiana have 43% and 37% planted, respectively. Each of those states is well ahead of its average pace. In Iowa, farmers have 71% of their soybeans planted, versus a 24% five-year average. Meanwhile, 7% of the U.S. soybean crop has emerged, versus a 4% five-year average.