Iowa farmers enjoyed 4 days suitable for farm work as rain fell through parts of the week, said USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. During this time, farmers completed tasks such as planting, cutting hay, and applying chemicals.

Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig commented on the report saying

Recent rainfall across the state has helped to push the crop along as farmers are approaching the end of planting. Short-term outlooks, through the first week of June, show better chances of rainfall paired with cooler temperatures.

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The weather has let up the last few weeks letting farmers get out in the field and plant. Iowa farmers have almost completed planting with 94 percent of the expected corn plant planted. In Northeast Iowa, 87 percent of the expected corn plant has been planted.

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Farmers have caught up to the five-year average but are still 13 days behind last year.

73 percent of the year's crop has emerged, which is six days behind last year and two behind the five-year average. Iowa’s first corn condition rating of the crop year was 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 71 percent good and 15 percent excellent.

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85 percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted which is 11 days behind last year but six days ahead of the five-year average. 45 percent of the crop has emerged.

Around 15 percent of the state’s first cutting has been complete and Northeast Iowa leading the pack with 28 percent of it complete. Hay condition improved to 75 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rose to 63 percent good to excellent.

Topsoil moisture conditions rated 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 2 percent very short, 18 percent short, 74 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus.

Iowa Farm Land Sets New County Record

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