While most areas of the state saw minimal or no field activity this past week, activity continued to progress and pick up in northwest and north‑central Iowa. Pastures, hayfields, and cover crops are showing good growth—but so are the weeds. Below, ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists share what they’re seeing and hearing across their regions.
Leah Ten Napel (Region 1)
Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury counties
"Planting conditions in northwest Iowa have been generally favorable. Current field activities include tillage, planting, fertilization, and early-season herbicide applications. The weather has given us a good, open start to the season. Soils are warming to levels optimum for seed germination. Spring tillage has been happening in many areas, as soils are dry enough to work without causing major compaction. Both corn and soybean planting are underway. Some producers have also begun no-till planting where conditions allow. Moisture conditions vary across the region, with some areas experiencing drier soils that may require close monitoring as the growing season progresses. Overall, the combination of warming soils and favorable weather has created a strong start for this growing season."
Gentry Sorenson (Region 2):
Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Winnebago counties
"Fields are drying and field work is getting a start in much of the area. Small amounts of rainfall were recorded this past week, allowing for drying with the high winds that we have experienced. Machinery preparation was ongoing with seed deliveries and some field preparation between rainfalls. In my southern counties, fieldwork and some planting was ongoing as fields were fit. Further to the east, fieldwork is just starting with tillage and some planting as soil conditions allow. From those that have been doing tillage, fields have been working up well. Subsoil moisture samples were taken across the counties that I serve, and we will have the results available when samples are finished drying and calculations are completed.”
Angie Rieck-Hinz (Region 3):
Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin, Humboldt, Webster, Worth, Wright counties
“Field activities started around April 16 in the western counties I cover and in full force where soil conditions warranted on April 21 in the rest of the counties I cover. Activities include tillage, manure application, 32% applications, herbicide applications and planting. Most farmers I surveyed by text on April 19 expressed concerns about planting prior to rain forecasted on Thursday followed by cooler temperatures over this next weekend. I have been catching black cutworm and true armyworm moths for the past 3 weeks but have had no significant captures. Northern Iowa should start scouting for alfalfa weevils next week. I have not found any in the two alfalfa fields I scout weekly in Hamilton and Hardin counties.”
Josh Michel (Region 5):
Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Jones, Linn, Winneshiek counties
“Rain showers continued last week in northeast Iowa. In general, most of the region received 1.5 to 3 inches of rainfall, with heavier amounts along Highway 20. The added moisture will continue to keep field operations to a minimum this week as producers wait for field conditions to improve. Since the beginning of April, most of my region has received up to 7 inches of precipitation. Alfalfa fields, pastures, and cover crops continue to green up, and growth is starting to pick up with some warming temperatures. Many winter annual weeds, such as henbit and field pennycress, are also doing very well. The majority of field calls over the past two weeks have centered around cover crop termination, soil temperatures, soil fertility, and pasture weed identification and management.”
Rebecca Vittetoe (Region 8):
Iowa, Jefferson, Keokuk, Poweshiek, Washington, Johnson counties
“This past week was another wet one with 1.5 to 2.5 inches of rainfall across much of the area. Several storms moved through this last week and brought along wind, hail, and tornadoes.With the wet conditions, fieldwork was mostly kept on hold across my region. Forages and cover crops look good, and unfortunately so do the winter annual weeds and early‑season weeds like giant ragweed. Waterhemp has also been spotted emerging in some fields, making weed management a priority once fieldwork resumes. Alfalfa weevil activity remains low compared to previous years. I have been able to find a few small larvae and adults. Continue to keep an eye on your alfalfa fields for this insect pest. Over the past week, in my moth trapping network sites, 5 black cutworm moths were caught in Keokuk County and 3 in Washington County. With fields starting to dry out here, remember it’s still early in the season. Additionally, although there’s growing interest in planting soybeans early, when field conditions allow, prioritize getting corn planted first to optimize yield potential, then turn to soybeans.”
Virgil Schmitt (Region 9):
Cedar, Clinton, Des Moines, Henry, Jackson, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott counties
“Last week, the counties I cover have generally received 1.0 to 2.5 inches of rain, with parts of Jackson County receiving considerably more. Because of these rains being added to 3.0 to 5.0 inches of rain earlier in April, for all practical purposes, no field activity occurred last week. Forages look good. Last week I stated that winter annuals, especially henbit, purple deadnettle and mustards, including Shepherd’s purse and pennycress are doing well. Dandelions (perennial) are blooming. In addition, yellow rocket and smallflower buttercup are adding color to some fields.”
Logan McCrea (Region 11):
Appanoose, Davis, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello, Wayne counties
“South-central Iowa rainfall accumulation over the past 7 days has been anywhere from 0.5 inch to upwards of 3 inches, leading to more waiting on field work. Most folks have been plenty patient waiting for a good window to be in the fields, and it looks like some will get a chance this week with sunshine and warm temperatures drying things up a bit before more rain chances at the end of the week. Early season weeds continue to thrive, and control of them may need to be prioritized this week. Forages look phenomenal with all the precipitation/warmth, and plenty of livestock has been getting kicked out to pastures recently. Alfalfa weevil pressure has been low in the fields that I have scouted, but producers should still be on the lookout for them as we are approaching (or have already reached!) peak larval feeding levels based upon accumulated growing degree days in areas of SC Iowa.”
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- Field Agronomist in EC/SE Iowa