Northeast Iowa Crop Conditions

The spring that won’t end is finally wrapping up. A week of dry weather in most areas is allowing planting to finish. Most soybean planting should be completed this week except for the very wettest areas. There have been thousands of acres of corn that have been replanted over the last two weeks, mainly in the low pothole areas that held water from excessive rains earlier. The condition of the crop has improved with some sun and moderate temperatures, but there is still a lot of uneven, lighter colored corn on wetter soils. These areas should improve once the roots develop and reach nitrogen further down in the soil over the next couple of weeks, but yield potential has been reduced in these areas.

The grain markets have moved lower as crop planting has progressed. Nationally the planting pace is right on average. With good moisture throughout the Midwest, early crop ratings are very good. Unfortunately, our area is the main problem spot this year with getting planting finished and growth established.