Iowa Crop Reports Are Back As Farmers Start To Hit The Field

As we head into April and are planning the 2022 crop season, it’s time we start looking at the USDA’s Crop Progress & Condition report for Iowa.

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In the last week, Iowa saw precipitation and cold conditions which limited farmers to 1.6 days that were suitable for fieldwork. The number of days suitable for fieldwork in the Northeast Iowa district was 0.9.

Fieldwork activities that were possible during this time included applying anhydrous fertilizer, spreading manure, and planting oats.

Topsoil Moisture Levels Statewide and the Northeast

According to the report, topsoil moisture levels in the state rated 9 percent very short, 25 percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus.

In Northeast Iowa, topsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 10 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus.

Subsoil Moisture  Levels Statewide and the Northeast

Subsoil moisture levels in the state rated 12 percent very short, 35 percent short, 49 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus.

In Northeast Iowa, subsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 10 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus.

In the state, only 7 percent of the expected oat crop was planted which is lower than last year’s number of 10 percent. However, this is ahead of the five-year average of 5 percent.

Pastures in Iowa remained mostly dormant. The week’s rain did leave feedlots wet but other than that livestock conditions remained generally good.

This update comes from information gathered between 7 am March 28 through 7 am April 3, 2022.

Be sure to download our app to stay up to date with weekly Crop Progress & Conditions reports. Reports come our every Monday afternoon/evening.