Counties of: Buena Vista, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, O’Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux
Planting progress was impressive over this past week despite less-than-ideal soil conditions. After heavy rain today, it appears a significant amount of planting will be delayed into the last week of May or early June for the first time since 2019. Planting windows have been short this spring between rain events, especially in the north half of the region. Iowa’s corn is 78% planted which is 8% behind the five-year average, and soybeans are 61% planted or 6% behind the five-year average. I’d say that’s about right for this region overall with more done on the south side and less to the north side of the region. Considering those numbers, we really aren’t that far behind normal, but the remaining acres will include some replant and that will likely drag on well into June making this a very long planting season. Many of the farms yet to be planted have slower drainage, so it will take significant time to dry.
Over the past 60 days this region accumulated 9 to 17 inches of rain, which is more than double the average amount for that time. The two-week outlook from the National Weather Service is trending drier with near average temperatures, but more rain is expected in the near term. All area lakes, rivers, and ponds are full or flooded at this point. What a huge difference from the previous 4 years!
Evaluating corn stands is more difficult this year. The early planted corn has grown to the second or third leaf stage and looks relatively good in well drained soils. However, corn in areas of fields with slower drainage have struggled to emerge from compaction and lack of air when the soil was saturated. Many of these areas may be replanted (if it’s practical to do so). Rarely will a whole field need to be replanted, but it’s common to find a few acres in most fields with stand issues. Adequate drainage tile has been important.
If the corn is not planted by the end of the month there are some decisions to make. The most common include: 1) switch to an early maturity corn variety, 2) plant soybeans instead, 3) take the prevented planting from crop insurance. The final planting date for corn is May 31 and June 15 for soybeans. There is a late-planting period after the final dates where crops planted in this period are still insured but coverage is reduced. Soybeans can be planted until mid-June without a major yield loss.
Please click on the links on the right to view the past pdf’s of our Northwest Crop Conditions reports.
1705 N Lake Ave
Storm Lake, IA 50588
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