DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa farmers are making good progress on planting the corn and soybean crops, even with all the storms. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in Monday’s weekly report that corn planting is now 64 percent complete. That’s ahead of last year’s 52 percent and the five-year average of 58 percent.
Seven percent of the soybeans have been planted, which is about the same as last year but behind the five-year average of 11 percent. Rain totals last week ranged from .4 in Dubuque to over 5 inches in Washington. The statewide average was 1.5 inches.
All the rain has improved Iowa’s soil moisture levels, with topsoil at 97 percent adequate or surplus. Subsoil moisture is 81 percent adequate or surplus.