Severe weather including heavy rains, tornadoes, and derecho conditions limited Iowa farmers to 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 26, 2024, according to the USDA. Planting corn and soybeans, and cutting hay was limited.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 26 percent surplus.

Subsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 9 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 88 percent. Sixty-six percent of the corn crop has emerged. The first corn condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 54 good and 19 percent excellent.

Seventy-three percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop has been planted, 10 days behind last year and 3 days behind the normal. Soybeans emerged reached 42 percent, 5 days behind last year.

Ninety-five percent of the expected oat crop has emerged.

Zach Tomesch, News Director KFJB