Weekly Iowa Crop Report for April 17th, 2016

Iowa farmers had ample opportunities for fieldwork with 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork statewide during the week ending April 17, 2016, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. In addition to oat planting, corn planting began in earnest in most areas with scattered reports of soybean planting. Other field activities included tillage as well as anhydrous and fertilizer applications.

Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 84 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 91 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus.

Thirteen percent of the State’s expected corn acreage has been planted, over one week ahead of both last year and the 5-year average. Seventy-eight percent of the oat crop has been planted, almost two weeks ahead of average, with 15 percent emerged. Iowa farmers were able to plant almost half the State’s expected oat acreage during the week ending April 17, 2016.

Pasture condition rated 2 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 38 percent fair, 48 percent good and 6 percent excellent. Pastures have started to green. Livestock conditions were described as good, with the dry weather beneficial for calving. Some cows and calves have been turned out to pastures.

Credit:  Iowa Dept of Ag