Iowa farmers continue to battle wet field conditions as another week of heavy rainfall limited farmers to only 1.3 days suitable for fieldwork statewide during the week ending June 2, 2019, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. The lower third of Iowa had 0.5 day suitable for fieldwork or less for the second week in a row.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 50 percent adequate and 50 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 49 percent adequate and 51 percent surplus.
Eighty percent of the expected corn crop has been planted, nearly 3 weeks behind the 5-year average. This is the smallest amount of corn planted by June 2 since 1982 when 76 percent of the expected crop had been planted. There were comments that some of these expected corn acres may go to soybeans or prevented planting. Fifty-eight percent of the crop has emerged, 12 days behind last year and 13 days behind average. Forty-one percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 18 days behind last year and average. This is the smallest percent of soybeans planted by June 2 since 1993 when just 39 percent of the expected crop had been planted. Seventeen percent of the crop has emerged, 2 weeks behind last year and 13 days behind average. Ninety-three percent of the expected oat crop has emerged, 8 days behind last year and 10 days behind average. Six percent of the crop has headed, 8 days behind average.
Only 4 percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, over two weeks behind average. Hay condition rated 60 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition decreased slightly to 62 percent good to excellent. Feedlots remain muddy.