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Crop emergence ahead of normal in Iowa

Emergence is ahead of normal in the nation’s top corn-producing state.

According to USDA, 30 percent of the corn planted in Iowa has emerged as of Sunday.  That’s four days ahead of last year and two days faster than the five-year average.

Iowa Soybean Association research agronomist Shane Beck covers north-central and northeast Iowa and says a lot of corn planted in April has reached the V1 growth stage.

“We did end up with some heavier rain around Easter or a little after, so we did see a little bit of crusting and a little bit of ponding. So there are going to be a few replant areas.”

He tells Brownfield early stands are encouraging overall.

“Corn and soybeans both look like they’re emerging pretty good. Some of the areas that got hit a little harder with more rain, the corn does look a little more spotty. Kind of a two, three, and four-day window is what I’ve seen for differences in plants coming out of the ground.”

Corn planting in Iowa advanced to 76 percent complete last week, more than a week faster than a year ago and three days faster compared to the usual pace.