Fieldwork and planting were limited in some areas of the state over the past week due to wet weather and unsuitable field conditions. Nearly 50% of the corn and about 40% of the soybean crop have been planted statewide. Earlier-planted corn and soybean fields have emerged. So far, aside from weeds, minimal pest pressure or other major issues have been noted in fields across the state. ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists provide more specific updates about conditions in the regions they cover below.
Leah Ten Napel (Region 1):
Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury counties
“Significant fieldwork and planting have continued throughout NW Iowa this past week. Variable amounts of rainfall have fallen across the state. We seem to be getting less moisture in our corner of the state, and the moisture we are receiving is not taking long to dry. Both corn and soybean fields have started to emerge. Emergence seems to be looking good at this point. Grasses and forages are coming along nicely. Insect pressure has been low, and my calls have focused primarily on weed control in both pastures and row crop fields.”
Gentry Sorenson (Region 2):
Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Winnebago counties
“Fieldwork has been slowed by rainfall which has kept many out of the field in region 2 for the first part of the week. Rainfall ranged from 0.1” to over 1.5”. For NW Iowa according to the USDA-NASS Crop Progress Report, 71% of the corn has been planted and 47% of the soybeans have been planted. In areas of region 2 there is much less than the estimate that has been planted. Some areas have limited planting due to previous wet conditions. Fieldwork resumed the later part of the week and through the weekend. Many will be planting through the coming week with no rain in the forecast.”
Terry Basol (Region 4):
Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Chickasaw, Floyd, Grundy, Howard, Mitchell counties
“Spring planting operations resumed here last week and into this past weekend. Planters and field operations started up in the southern part of the territory by Thursday and by this Monday (May 5), most of the rest of the territory has begun as well, except where past localized rains have been heavier soil conditions are not fit for planting yet. Corn and soybeans have begun to emerge from the early planted fields. Be sure to start early season stand assessments in both corn and soybeans to make sure populations are where you want them. According to the USDA-NASS Crop Progress Report, as of May 4, 32 and 19% of the acres have been planted to corn in NC and NE Iowa, respectively. Soybeans are at 17% planted for both NC and NE Iowa. About 88 – 91% of the oats have been seeded for this area. Alfalfa is growing well, and this is a good time to start utilizing the PEAQ method (Predictive Equations for Alfalfa Quality) to determine optimum timing for the first cutting. The alfalfa at Northeast Iowa Research Farm had an average height of the tallest stem at 16 inches with no buds visible. Using the PEAQ method, this puts the relative feed value at 237. As far as precipitation, according to the Iowa Mesonet, the Northeast Iowa Research Farm at Nashua received 0.17” of rain for the period of April 27 through May 4, and 5.07” for the month of April. The 6 to 10 day weather forecast looks very favorable for farmers in this area to make a lot of planting progress for the 2025 growing season.”
Josh Michel (Region 5):
Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Jones, Linn, Winneshiek counties
“Field operations and planting remain at a standstill as most of the region received anywhere from 0.5”, up to 1.5” of rainfall over the past seven days. This has resulted in another 1-class improvement in the Drought Monitor from last week. Only a small area in Eastern Dubuque and Jackson Counties now remains in D1 Moderate Drought. Thankfully, the weather forecast for the rest of the week should allow many producers to slowly resume planting in most fields. An estimated 80-85% of the oats have been planted, with 50% emerged. An estimated 10-15% of the corn has been planted, while soybeans are at 10-15%. Alfalfa fields and pastures continue greening up and look good so far. It took a while, but some of the early corn that was planted around Easter is finally beginning to emerge. The majority of field calls over the past week have centered around cover crop termination, soil fertility, and pasture weed identification and management.”
Meaghan Anderson (Region 7):
Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marshall, Polk, Story, Tama, Warren counties
“Central Iowa received more rain last week, though most farms appear to have received less than an inch of rain in the last seven days. Crops are emerging and stands look great so far, with the exception of areas that received excessive rainfall two weeks ago. Some stands have suffered from soil movement and soil crusting. Insect activity slowed down this last week, with fewer black cutworm moths in my traps in Polk County; I also scouted one alfalfa stand for alfalfa weevil and did not see weevils, though others in Iowa are seeing some. The weather will be excellent for final field preparations and planting, but those relying solely on herbicides rather than tillage for early weed control will want to make sure their herbicide program will manage any weeds that have emerged. Waterhemp, Asian copperleaf, velvetleaf, morning glories, and numerous other summer annuals have begun emerging this spring. Phone calls in the last week have been on herbicide injury, crusted soil, when to roll or drive over emerged soybeans, weed ID, and starter fertilizer.”
Rebecca Vittetoe (Region 8):
Iowa, Jefferson, Keokuk, Poweshiek, Washington, Johnson counties
“Rainfall totals for the week ranged from just under 0.5” to about 1.2” across my region. Planting and other field activities were limited in areas due to unfit and wet field conditions. Take time to evaluate the emerged corn and soybean stands to identify any potential issues. Based on the moth activity we’ve seen this spring, as you are out doing stand assessments, keep an eye out for black cutworms and potentially true armyworms. Right now, we may see some leaf feeding from black cutworms, with the predicted cutting date for this area set for May 17—except in Poweshiek County, where it is May 22. Pastures and hayfields are looking good and showing good growth. Continue monitoring for alfalfa weevil larvae, but so far, I haven’t observed the level of pressure we experienced last year. Phone calls the last week have been on weed ID, alfalfa weevil (what are we seeing), and cover crop and weed management.”
Virgil Schmitt (Region 9):
Cedar, Clinton, Des Moines, Henry, Jackson, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott counties
“Most of the area I cover received between 0.75” to 1.5” of rain, with most being later in the week. In general, fieldwork was progressing well through Wednesday, after which rain pretty well shut fieldwork down for the rest of the week. I would guess that about 75 to 80% of the corn is planted between Hwy 30 and Hwy 92, with about 60% of the corn planted south of Hwy 92 and north of Hwy 30, and about 50% of the soybeans are planted. Many early-planted corn fields emerged during the last week, and I have received reports of some issues with seed and/or seedling rots. I have not seen any emerged soybeans, but I am sure there are some. Hay and pastures look good except some hay fields look more like yellow rocket fields than hay fields. A heavy infestation of yellow rocket can cause gastrointestinal problems in livestock, especially horses. Maintaining a dense, healthy alfalfa stand through proper soil fertility and pH management can limit weed encroachment. Dr. Shelby Gruss, ISU Extension Forage Specialist, suggests harvesting what is there as a first crop, but before mowing, “if you are seeing more yellow rocket than alfalfa; a stand assessment could be in order to know if you should keep your stand. Stem counts per square foot <40 stems indicate a weakening stand and may not be economically viable to keep, and you should consider rotating after your first harvest. Do not forget to look at the roots for browning or discoloration indicating root rots or crown damage. Crown/roots should be a firm and white in color to indicate and healthy crown/root.” Calls last week mostly centered around cover crops.”
Aaron Saeugling (Region 10):
Adair, Adams, Cass, Clarke, Decatur, East Pottawattamie, Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, West Pottawattamie counties
“Welcome rainfall occurred across most of SW Iowa in the past week. Planting progress slowed in some locations but resumed where showers were light. Early planted corn and soybean fields are now emerging. I encourage farmers to look at those early stands and look for emergence scores, disease issues and insect feeding. With heavy black cutworm moth flights in NW Missouri in previous weeks, I expect a few issues in Fremont, Page, Taylor and Ringgold counties. If old pastures, and CRP fields have been recently brought back into production, also be on the lookout for white grubs and wireworms. This week appears to be a busy week to continue planting for most farmers. I suspect by next week this time we will have close to 75 to 80% of the corn and soybean planted. Spraying has been hectic with a string of several mild days for sprayers to keep pace with planters.”
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- Field Agronomist in EC/SE Iowa