News

Weekend rains slow planting pace in Iowa

An extension agronomist says the planting season has been in full swing across Iowa.

Meaghan Anderson with Iowa State University says, “All field operations have been happening all at once and across fence lines from each other.”

She tells Brownfield some activity has slowed down due to widespread rains over the weekend. “It’s good to have plenty of crop in the ground and then get a little bit of a break and get some rain on that.”

Anderson says the rains were needed to help improve soil conditions. “I would say soil conditions have been pretty dry, but we’re finding moisture a couple inches down in the soil which is good for getting corn planted.”

The latest U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday, showed more than 85% of the state was listed in a drought-related category.