Regional Crop Update: Early April 2026

Outside of northwest Iowa, which has missed more of the recent rains, field activity across the state has either been limited or brought to a halt due to the wet conditions. With much of the state waiting to get back into the field and get a start on planting, ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists provide updates on what they are seeing and what’s happening in their respective regions across the state.

Leah Ten Napel (Region 1)

Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury counties

“Spring is in full swing in northwest Iowa! Field activity over the weekend and beginning part of this week has included spring tillage and applications of dry fertilizer, nitrogen and chemical. Small amounts of both corn and soybeans have been planted. Soil conditions seem to be fit in most areas and farmers are taking advantage of the nice spring weather to get a head start on planting!”

Josh Michel (Region 5):

Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Jones, Linn, Winneshiek counties

“Over the past two weeks, most of Northeast Iowa has generally received around 3 inches of rainfall, with some isolated areas receiving up to 5 inches. Four-inch soil temperatures over the past week have continued to hover in the low to mid 40’s degree range. Soil temperatures are expected to increase to near 60 degrees for the next several days with warming temperatures. Prior to the rainfall, many producers were able to begin some initial field operations such as applying dry fertilizer, anhydrous ammonia, and pre-plant herbicide applications. Alfalfa fields, pastures, and cover crops are starting to green up, but growth has been slow due to cooler temperatures. Many winter annual weeds, such as henbit, are also starting to make their appearance. The majority of field calls over the past two weeks have centered around cover crop termination, soil temperatures and planting conditions, soil fertility, and pasture weed identification and management.”

Meaghan Anderson (Region 7):

Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marshall, Polk, Story, Tama, Warren counties 

“Central Iowa has received a boatload of rainfall in the past couple weeks, so despite overall warming air and soil temperatures, field work has been stalled. I know some fields got sprayed or – in some cases – planted before the rain, but most fields are waiting patiently for a drier forecast. Despite the lack of fieldwork, weeds and insects are still at work on the landscape. Most early-season weeds are emerged now, including ragweeds, woolly cupgrass, some foxtails, and lambsquarters. I expect many more will emerge early next week after the heat and rain. Black cutworms have been regular visitors to my trap in Polk County, though I have yet to catch a peak flight. Fields yet to be sprayed may need a quick scout prior to spraying to make sure any emerged weed species will be well-managed with the planned herbicide program. Fingers crossed for a good planting window in the next couple weeks!”

Rebecca Vittetoe (Region 8):

Iowa, Jefferson, Keokuk, Poweshiek, Washington, Johnson counties 

While we had a decent window in March for some fieldwork, including dry fertilizer and anhydrous ammonia applications, the recent wet weather has really limited or brought field activities to a halt. Since April 1, the counties I cover have received anywhere from 3 to 6 inches of rainfall, with additional rain and potential storms in the forecast. Winter annuals, especially henbit, have become more prevalent in some fields as well as some early season weeds including giant ragweed. If you have alfalfa, keep an eye out for alfalfa weevil. Based on growing degree days, eggs should be hatching and larvae will start feeding on alfalfa plants. In a field I checked on Monday, I found a few small larvae—nothing near threshold yet, but a reminder it’s time to start scouting. Also on the insect front, in the two sites I monitor for the Iowa Moth Trapping Network for black cutworm, I have caught several black cutworm moths. We will continue to monitor these trapping sites for peak flights and use that information to help estimate predicted cutting dates later this spring. Hopefully Mother Nature gives us a break in this weather pattern soon. Once fields get dried out, there will be no shortage of work to be done.” 

Virgil Schmitt (Region 9):

Cedar, Clinton, Des Moines, Henry, Jackson, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott counties

“Like most of the southeast half of Iowa, the counties I cover have generally received 3.0 to 5.0 inches of rain thus far in April, with a few areas receiving less. Forages look good. Most oats are planted. There have been a few fields planted to corn and soybean, generally south of Highway 92. Once fields become fit again, planting should seriously start. In addition to proper soil moisture for planting, farmers need to be sure soil temperatures are above 50 degrees and projected to stay that way. Fertilizer applications are mostly complete, some manure is being applied, and some spring tillage has occurred. Winter annuals, especially henbit, purple deadnettle and mustards including shepherds purse and pennycress are doing well. Dandelions (perennial) are also blooming. Recent calls have mostly centered around soil fertility, cover crop management, and weed management.

Aaron Saeugling (Region 6 and 10):

Adair, Adams, Audubon, Calhoun, Carroll, Cass, Clarke, Crawford, Decatur, East Pottawattamie, Fremont, Greene, Gutherie, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Ringgold, Sac, Shelby, Taylor, Union, West Pottawattamie counties 

“Cool wet spring conditions have stopped much of the field activities this spring. We had a window in March to finish some anhydrous applications and dry fertilizer spreading. With warm, wet conditions across most of the western and southwest portions of Iowa, I expect planters and sprayers to hit the field hard when soil conditions are fit. Winter annuals are in full growth mode and will get out of label range quickly, so be sure to attack those fields first and do not skimp on herbicide rates. Most common winter annuals include field pennycress, tansy mustard, shepherds purse, and henbit. Fall cereal cover crops are growing rapidly with the moisture and warm temperatures. Termination of rye should also be a priority. Spring calving conditions have been less than ideal for cow-calf producers. Pasture conditions are good with warm temperatures, causing cool season grasses to elongate. Be sure to scout pastures and alfalfa fields for winter-kill due to low temperatures and lack of snow cover in some locations. When making planting decisions be sure to place priority on optimum soil conditions for corn, soybeans are more forgiving than corn.” 

Logan McCrea (Region 11):

Appanoose, Davis, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello, Wayne counties

“Like much of the state, south-central Iowa has been receiving plenty of precipitation over the past few weeks and looks to get some more this week. This has put corn and soybean planting into a bit of a holding pattern for now though there may have been some seed put in the ground at the end of March. Forages, cover crops, and winter annual weeds have been enjoying the rainfall recently and will enjoy the warmth to go along with it this week. The warm temperatures have accelerated alfalfa weevil development in Iowa, with GDD benchmarks of egg hatch being passed already. You can track GDD development for alfalfa weevil by visiting the ISU Mesonet Pest Forecasting Maps. Forecasted GDD development for the next two weeks is also located on the right side of the screen and has us getting very close to peak larval feeding depending upon where you're located. Farmers should begin to scout fields for activity and keep an eye on potential feeding.”