Northeast Iowa Crop Conditions

Moisture has been abundant in many forms this spring. We have had small rains to thunderstorms and snow flurries to 9″ blizzards. The temperatures have been volatile to say the least. At in mid March, we had 65 degrees one day followed by a blizzard the next. The soil moisture profile has been continuously replenished and if we can get a few dry days strung together to get seed in the ground, the crops will have the water to get them off to a great start!

The start of planting is still a question mark at this point. Area farmers could start as soon as the 15th, but we will need warmer temperatures to warm the soils before that can happen. Most planting will begin in 3-4 weeks.

The markets did not rebound this winter and spring like most had hoped. The USDA planting intentions report on the 31st of March estimated 93.6 million acres of corn will be planted in the U.S. That is one of the highest numbers in recent history. The markets reaction to this report took another $0.20 slice out of an already pained corn price. Crude oil prices strengthening and planting delays across the country may be the next turn around for corn.

Soybeans have shown some strength as of late and have broken $9.00 on the board of trade. The resistance point seems to be between $9.10 and $9.15 causing the two week rally to slow and stagnate in that range.