Iowa

Rainfall during the week ending April 17 hampered spring planting with some areas reporting in excess of 3 inches of rain, according to the Iowa Agricultural Statistics Service, April 18.

There were 3.0 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to the previous week at 5.3 days. Topsoil moisture rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 84 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus across Iowa. Subsoil moisture rated 1 percent very short, 13 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus. The state's adequate and surplus ratings for top soil moisture showed gains over a week ago to 93 percent, while very short and short ratings declined to 7 percent of the state total.

Oat seedings were 87 percent complete which was slightly ahead of last year's progress of 86 percent and above the five-year average of 66 percent. Oat emergence was 31 percent, well above last year's 11 percent and the five-year average of 15 percent. Corn planted was 10 percent behind last year's progress of 16 percent but slightly ahead of the five-year average of 5 percent. Primary seedbed preparations were 65 percent complete, while fertilizer applications were 82 percent complete. Both ratings are nearly identical to a year ago.

Favorable weather conditions during calving made for a smooth calving season. Pasture and range conditions showed improvement from a week ago with 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 19 percent fair, 62 percent good, and 14 percent excellent.

Date: 4/20/05