May 26, 2010

Iowa's grain producers welcome warmer, drier weather

Warmer, drier weather in the northern and west central parts of the state allowed Iowa farmers to get out in the fields this past week.

There were four days suitable for fieldwork last week compared to only 1.2 days the week before, according to the weekly Iowa Crops and Weather Report, released May 24 by the Iowa office of USDA's National Ag Statistics Service.

Farmers continued planting field crops, spraying weeds and harvesting hay after one of the wettest weeks in two years. Warmer, drier weather allowed crops to recover from the frost and cooler weather experienced earlier this month. Only a few reports have indicated a need to re-plant.

As of May 23, the weekly survey shows that 98% of Iowa's 2010 corn crop has been planted, 2% ahead of last year's figure. Iowa soy is 75% planted, which is 1% ahead of last year's 74% at this time.

The southeast part of Iowa received more rain last week on already drenched fields, limiting fieldwork. Southeast Iowa countries have received over 10 inches of rain so far this month which has caused crop concerns.