News

Iowa corn rated 73% good to excellent

Seventy-three percent of Iowa’s corn crop is rated in good to excellent condition. Corn emergence as of Sunday reached 82 percent, one day ahead of the five-year average.

Soybean planting was 77 percent complete with soybean emergence at 39 percent, both close to normal.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay was 21 percent complete with hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Pasture conditions remained at 82 percent good to excellent.

“Farmers continue to make planting progress as conditions allow,” said Iowa ag secretary Bill Northey. “South-central Iowa has been the most impacted by weather and as a result only has 86 percent of corn and 57 percent of beans planted.  Hopefully the nicer weather we’ve had the last few days holds on and farmers there are able to finish planting, spray for weeds and get other needed work done.”