Across Iowa, planting is nearing completion or has wrapped up. There have been some emergence concerns in fields across the state due to soil crusting. The rain over the weekend and early this week will hopefully help alleviate that, but unfortunately there were areas that also experienced heavy rainfall, hail, strong winds, and tornados. ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists share more specifics about what’s happening in fields around the state.
Leah Ten Napel (Region 1)
Cherokee, Ida, Lyon, Monona, O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Sioux, Woodbury counties
"Planting in northwest Iowa was essentially completed by the end of this past weekend. With little moisture up until this point, conditions had become very dry in some areas. Over the weekend, this corner of the state saw precipitation along with damaging storms. There should not be a problem with the soil absorbing this moisture, but downpours and hail caused washouts and damage to emerged plants, especially soybeans. There will be some fields replanted due to this weather. Most soybean fields range from just planted to V1, while corn fields range from VE to V2. There has not been much insect activity at this point but weed growth has been rapid.”
Gentry Sorenson (Region 2)
Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Winnebago counties
“Corn emergence has been observed in several fields, with some fields reaching the V1 growth stage. Crusting was found in some early planted fields, and rotary hoes were used in some fields that had soil crusting issues. Soybean emergence is not far away in most areas, with some earlier planted fields already emerging. Severe weather impacted my region, including tennis ball sized hail in Hancock County and very large hail was reported in Kossuth County. Other areas also experienced hail ranging from pea to quarter size or larger Friday afternoon and evening. Strong straight-line winds were reported Sunday, along with several tornados. Rainfall totals ranged from 2 to 3 inches, with localized heavier amounts. Resources that can assist with decision making following hail events include the publications Hail on Soybeans in Iowa and Hail on Corn in Iowa.”
Angie Rieck-Hinz (Region 3)
Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin, Humboldt, Webster, Worth, Wright counties
“For the period of May 13 through May 18, we received some much-needed rain across my counties. While the crop was planted in moisture, the top couple of inches had dried out and in some areas soil crusting was impeding emergence. Rainfall reports ranged from 1.06 inches at Hampton to 1.99 inches at Iowa Falls, with locally heavier amounts. So far, in 2026, Iowa Falls is averaging just at 5 inches above normal for rainfall. Some of the rain events also brought hail ranging in size from marble- to golf ball-sized. Most of my phone calls have been related to soil crusting concerns, weed identification, and pre-emerge herbicide control concerns. Hopefully, our recent rains will help “activate” those pre-emerge herbicides. I continue to catch black cutworm moths and true armyworm moths. See the 2026 Moth Trapping Network: Report #5 for black cutworm projected cutting dates.”
Josh Michel (Region 5)
Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, Fayette, Jones, Linn, Winneshiek counties
“Dry conditions last week allowed planting and herbicide applications to wrap up across most of the region. Rain showers came through Friday evening and early Saturday morning delivering approximately 0.75 to1 inch of precipitation, with some isolated heavier amounts in Allamakee County. Rotary hoes were used in many fields to help mitigate some soil crusting concerns. The most severe fields were replanted. Conducting stand assessments will remain critical over the next 7-10 days as newly planted fields begin to emerge. An estimated 90% of the corn has been planted, with some of the earlier-planted fields at VE to V1. Approximately 85-90% of the soybeans have also been planted, with some fields already at VC. Oats continue to look good to excellent with many fields already past 6 inches. Cereal rye continues to head out, and many fields are being harvested for forage. The first cuttings of alfalfa started last week, and I’d expect first cutting to continue across the region as the weather allows. Alfalfa weevil larval feeding continues to show up in isolated areas, but not to the extent that warrants an application and I’d expect first cutting to appropriately manage any increasing insect pressure. Pastures continue to look good to excellent and many cool season grasses are beginning to head out. The majority of field calls over the past week have centered around weed identification, and management, stand assessments and replant decisions.”
Meaghan Anderson (Region 7)
Boone, Dallas, Jasper, Madison, Marshall, Polk, Story, Tama, Warren counties
“Central Iowa had another strong week of field activity. Over the weekend and through Monday, central Iowa received between one and over three inches of very welcome rainfall. Most of this came gently and without causing ponding until Monday evening’s storms. Corn varies from newly planted in the last week to nearly V2, while soybeans range from newly planted (or replanted) to VC. The earliest planted soybean field I am aware of is probably nearing V1. The primary cause of phone calls remains uneven stands and concern over replant or filling in crops. Pest reports remain relatively low, but bean leaf beetles are feeding on some soybeans and farmers should keep an eye out for black cutworm and true armyworm in emerged crops.”
Rebecca Vittetoe (Region 8)
Iowa, Jefferson, Keokuk, Poweshiek, Washington, Johnson counties
“With planting wrapping-up across the area, attention is shifting to crop emergence and stand assessments. There have been some soil crusting concerns that impacted emergence and reduced stands in fields. Some fields did or will get replanted as a result. Hopefully though the rain we received over the weekend and early this week will help to alleviate some of those concerns. Of the crops that have emerged, soybeans range from VE to VC and corn is VE to V2. I’ve noticed some bean leaf beetle feeding in the early planted soybeans. Now is also the time to be scouting for cutworms and true armyworms. Some alfalfa fields have already been put up for the first cutting. Questions over the last week were on weed ID, soil crusting, stand assessments, and insect activity.”
Virgil Schmitt (Region 9):
Cedar, Clinton, Des Moines, Henry, Jackson, Lee, Louisa, Muscatine, Scott counties
“Last week, the counties I cover have generally received 0.25 inch or less of rain north of I-80 and 0.50 or less south of I-80. This allowed field work to continue most days last week until the weekend. Planting of corn and soybeans is nearly complete. Most corn fields are at V1 to V2 and look good. Soybean range from not emerged to VE. The VE soybeans also look good. Forages to look good. Alfalfa is about 30 inches tall and starting to bloom. THE PEAQ relative feed value is 147 and falling. Red clover is also starting to bloom. Smooth bromegrass, orchardgrass, and tall fescue are starting to head out. Lepto leafspot is in a few alfalfa fields. While alfalfa weevil levels remain low, some hopper burn is starting to show up. Downey brome is starting to head out. Lightening bugs began to flash late last week. Other calls last week centered around forage insects, forage diseases, and forage harvesting.”
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- Field Agronomist in EC/SE Iowa