Corn planting is nearing the finish line in Iowa. Soybeans have a ways to go.
Wet and cold conditions last week slowed planting and even brought it to a standstill in some areas of the state, according to Monday’s weekly U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Progress and Condition Report.
There were only 2.2 days, on average, suitable for fieldwork last week, the report said. But planting is still further along than previous years.
Eighty-eight percent of Iowa’s 13.9 million intended corn acres are in the ground as of Sunday, according to the report. That’s a day behind last year, but four days ahead of the five-year average.
The report indicates soybean planting is 43 percent complete statewide, two days ahead of normal. Iowa farmers intend to plant 9.7 million acres.
“Although only a few days were fit to be in the field and the state saw cooler temperatures last week, we’ve been able to maintain progress above average,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey in a statement.
Farmers in north central and central Iowa are nearly done planting corn and well ahead of the rest of the state in sowing beans at 79 percent and 66 percent, respectively, complete. Farmers in the western third of Iowa lag the furthest behind.
Producers in southeast Iowa didn’t have much luck lately either. After an early start to the planting season, Warren Bachman of Osceola said as of Monday he hasn’t planted anything in almost a week.
“We sure didn’t need this rain. We needed some sunshine,” Bachman said Monday as he looked out the window of his house. “We are so slow to dry out down here in the spring. Our ground is tight and has clay in it. When you get an inch of rain here you might as well go fishing for five days.”
Bachman, an ISA member, has 90 percent of his soybeans to plant. A four- to five-day stretch of warm, dry weather is needed to finish, he said.
Iowa State University research shows soybean yields, on average, decline by .25 to .9 bushels per day seed isn't in the ground after May 15.
Late-planted beans aren’t necessarily less productive than earlier seeded ones. Good weather toward the end of the growing season can make up for late planting.
“We're not too worried about the yield yet, however the clock keeps ticking,” Bachman said.
Last year he gave up planting beans on June 21. Bachman is hoping he won’t have prevent plant acres like the past several years.
Emergence
Fifty-one percent of planted corn has emerged, the report said. That’s five days ahead of the average. There were scattered reports of soybeans peeking out of the ground.
There were some reports of frost in low-lying areas last week, according to the report.
ISA member Josh Nelson of Belmond noticed some light frost damage on early emerged corn.
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