DES MOINES, Iowa (May 23, 2022) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented today on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. “With near-normal conditions across Iowa last week, farmers continued to make strong planting progress while dodging scattered showers and thunderstorms. Given this favorable weather pattern, corn planting is nearing completion,” said Secretary Naig. “Iowans woke up to chilly conditions on Sunday with isolated pockets of frost in northwestern Iowa. This week, however, looks to be wet with warmer temperatures showing up in the outlooks.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report
Weather conditions allowed farmers to gain ground on spring planting with 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 22, 2022, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities included planting and spraying when winds allowed. Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 17 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.

Farmers made good progress last week with 86 percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop planted, 13 days behind last year and 3 days behind the 5-year average. Forty-seven percent of the corn crop has emerged, 1 week behind last year and 3 days behind average. Sixty-nine percent of soybeans have been planted, 12 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of the 5-year average. Eighteen percent of soybeans have emerged, 8 days behind last year and 4 days behind average. Ninety-six percent of the expected oat crop has been planted with 82 percent emerged, 9 days behind last year and 5 days behind the 5-year average. Four percent of the oat crop has headed, 3 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of average. Iowa’s first oat condition rating for 2022 was 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 60 percent good and 15 percent excellent.

Five percent of the state’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. Hay condition improved to 71 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rose to 59 percent good to excellent. Livestock conditions were good with most cattle now on pastures.