By Rich Pope, Department of Entomology
Today the first weekly report of base 50°F degree-day accumulations is posted for the 2008 Iowa crop season. Statewide, the first four days of May have accumulated degree days at the long-term average, but that follows a cooler-than-normal April.
Base-50°F degree day accumulation per day the first week of May ranges from on average, around 10 in northern Iowa to roughly 12 in the southern third.
As of May 5, the USDA reported 18 percent of corn planted in Iowa, with the bulk of that happening in western counties.
For those who follow the degree day accumulations prior to May 1, the following table shows data by crop reporting district.
Rich Pope is an extension program specialist working in the Corn and Soybean Initiative.
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