| ||||
|
|
Weather conditions widely varied
Iowa
Excessive rainfall in North Central Iowa limited fieldwork in that area to one day for the week ending May 22, while farmers in Southern areas of the state received less rainfall and consequently took advantage of having additional days to perform fieldwork, according to the Iowa Agricultural Statistics Service, May 23.
Northern counties expressed concern that due to too much rain, some soybean fields had not been planted and other corn and soybean fields need to be replanted. Pasture growth has failed to meet expectations due to the cool temperatures and lack of sunlight.
There were 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork, compared to 1.9 days from the previous week. Topsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus across Iowa. Subsoil moisture rated 0 percent very short, 7 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus.
Oat emergence was virtually complete. Oats headed was rated at 1 percent complete. Corn planted was 98 percent, 1 percentage point behind last year's progress of 99 percent, but 3 percentage points ahead of the five-year average of 95 percent. Corn emergence was at 76 percent, up from 41 percent a week ago, slightly above the five-year average of 72 percent, but below last year's total of 88 percent. Soybean plantings progressed to 70 percent complete, well behind last year's rating of 85 percent, but near the five-year average of 69 percent. Soybean emergence at 21 percent was up 17 percentage points from a week ago, but remained well below last year's rating of 52 percent and the five-year average at 30 percent. Alfalfa hay first cutting was reported at 4 percent complete.
Livestock are reported to be in generally good condition. Some Northern counties reported stresses on livestock due to muddy lots and pastures. Pasture and range conditions deteriorated slightly from the previous week at 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 64 percent good, and 17 percent excellent.
Date: 5/25/05
Copyright 1995-2008. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com
 
| |||||||||||||||||||||
