Regional Crop Update: May 25 - June 2, 2026

Crops have really started to take off with the warmer temperatures, though growth stages vary depending on planting date. Over the past week, field activity has been strong across the state, including postemergence herbicide applications, sidedressing, planting and/or replanting, and first-cutting hay being put up. For more specific updates on crop conditions and regional activity around the state, Extension field agronomists share insights below

Leah Ten Napel (Region 1)

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

“Many alfalfa fields had their first cuttings last week. Yield and quality seem to be good. Early planted corn fields are hitting the V5–V6 stages, and early planted soybean fields are in the V2–V3 stages. Many fields look to have good stands and populations. Some thinner corn stands may be from early season weather swings. Areas of hail damage across northwest Iowa caused soybean fields to be replanted. Disease and insect pressure have been low, while weed pressure continues to be high.”

Gentry Sorenson (Region 2)

Buena Vista, Clay, Dickinson, Emmet, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Winnebago counties

“Postemergence herbicide applications in corn have been made through the week. I have seen corn up to V6 and soybeans up to V2 across the area. Stand assessments were on going, with some replanting or some touch-ups made after hail and soil crusting from previous storms. I have seen a few first-cutting alfalfa and a handful of grass hay fields baled over the last week. Pest reports have been low. Rainfall across the area has been light. Total amount of precipitation was around 0.5 inch for the week.”

Angie Rieck-Hinz (Region 3)

Cerro Gordo, Franklin, Hamilton, Hardin, Humboldt, Webster, Worth, Wright counties 

“Rainfall has been hit or miss this past week, with some areas receiving no rain and other areas receiving 1.5 inches or more. Corn is V2–V5 and has finally grown out of the “ugly duckling stage” and soybeans are VC–V2. Iron deficiency chlorosis (IDC) is starting to show up on soybeans in high pH areas. If dry soil conditions persist, the beans may “flash” yellow longer than usual and symptoms may be severe. The oat variety trial at the Northern Research Farm ranges from Feekes growth stage 8 to 10. There has been a lot of first crop hay cut in the past 10 days and there is a lot of post-applied herbicides going on. General issues of this past week have included poor corn emergence, scattered reports of black cutworm feeding in corn, reports of slugs eating soybeans in no-till fields and pasture issues.”

Terry Basol (Region 4)

Benton, Black Hawk, Bremer, Butler, Chickasaw, Floyd, Grundy, Howard, Mitchell counties 

“The last couple of weeks have given farmers favorable conditions to finish up planting operations. Pretty much all the corn and soybeans are now planted and getting off to a great start in north-central and northeast Iowa. Corn ranges from V2 up to V5 (for the very early planted acres), and soybeans range from VE–V1. Both crops look really good for the area. Field operations include first postemergence herbicide applications as well as the beginning of sidedress nitrogen applications for the corn crop. First cutting of alfalfa has begun in my region, with stands looking very good for quality. As far as precipitation for the last couple of weeks, we received a nice rainfall for the area over this past weekend. According to the Iowa Mesonet, the Northeast Iowa Research and Demonstration Farm at Nashua has received 2.49 inches of rain from May 17 through May 31, and 3.77 inches total for the month of May. 

Josh Michel (Region 5)

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

“Dry conditions last week allowed field operations to occur uninterrupted. Many postemergence herbicide applications were applied, the first crop of alfalfa was harvested, and the last fields to get replanted have been taken care of. Some welcomed light scattered showers came through the region over the weekend, delivering anywhere from 0.10–0.25 inch of rainfall. In general, most of the corn is around V1–V3, while soybeans are at VC–V1. Oats continue to look good to excellent, with some early-planted fields beginning to head out. Pastures also continue to look good to excellent, with many cool-season grasses heading out. The majority of field calls over the past week have centered around weed identification and management, herbicide drift and injury, as well as stand assessments and replant decisions.”

Meaghan Anderson (Region 7)

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

“Central Iowa received variable rainfall in the last week, with small areas receiving more than 1.5 inches and larger areas receiving less than 0.5 inch. Based on radar estimates, parts of Marshall and Tama counties went without rainfall. Corn is growing quickly in the heat, with much of the earlier planted corn in its “ugly duckling” stage. Some seed corn planting is just finishing up this week in central Iowa. Sidedressing and herbicide applications have been in full swing over the past week. Soybeans vary from just planted (or replanted) to about V2–V3. Few pest issues have been reported (so far), but waterhemp and other weeds are getting a head start in some earlier sprayed fields with heavy weed pressure. Check out a recent article on postemergence herbicide applications and uncertain weather with another week of forecasted small rain chances ahead. Most calls in the last week were about weed management and identification, nitrogen sidedressing, and replant in soybeans.”

Rebecca Vittetoe (Region 8)

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

“East-central and southeast Iowa missed the rains late last week and over the weekend. There has been a lot of sidedressing and postemergence herbicide applications going on. Additionally, the first-cutting of hay is basically all put up. Crops have really grown, with corn ranging from V3–V6 and soybeans ranging from recently planted or replanted to V2. Some April-planted corn fields that were planted a little on the wetter side are looking more uneven and were showing signs of stress with the heat and drier conditions. There have been some isolated pockets in my region with armyworm and black cutworm activity in corn. Continue to keep an eye out for those pests. Just like the crops have really grown, the weeds are also really growing. Questions over the last week have been about weed management and ID, insect activity (cutworm and armyworms), replant decisions, and herbicide injury.” 

Virgil Schmitt (Region 9)

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

“During the last two weeks, the counties I cover have generally received 0.5–1.5 inches of rain. Most corn fields are V3–V5 and look good. Post-emergence herbicide applications began in earnest last week. Some row crop fields have some very large weeds. Most soybeans are mostly VC–V2 and look good. Oats are heading out and look good, too. The last two weeks have seen nearly all the first-cutting of hay harvested. Wild parsnip, poison hemlock, and musk thistle are starting to bloom and docks are setting seeds. Calls last week centered around weeds, weed management, spray drift, and soybean populations." 

 Logan McCrea (Region 11)

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

“It has been fairly dry the past 7–10 days, giving producers plenty of opportunity to work on postemergence herbicide applications, secondary fertilizer applications, and getting a good chunk of first-cutting alfalfa harvested. Corn ranges from V1–V2 in later planted areas to V6–V8 in some of the earliest planted corn. Soybeans are all over the board being anywhere from just planted/VE to V4. Stands are continuing to be evaluated and just today (6/1) I have already seen a few soybean fields being replanted and a corn field being ripped up and likely replanted soon. Crops in the field are beginning to put on some size, but so are the weeds within the fields, making postemergence herbicide application timing important as the crops and weeds continue to grow. Friendly reminder to check labels for crop stage and/or height as you make your way out to the field. Forage-wise, many folks took advantage of the weather and got much of first-cutting alfalfa harvested. The weather looks to give one more window of opportunity before chances of precipitation return later this week. Calls in the past week have surrounded weed ID, herbicide/wildlife injury, and stand assessments.”