Early-season field conditions can set the tone for the entire growing season. Two common soil issues that can limit early crop development are soil crusting and sidewall compaction. While they look different in the field, both restrict crop establishment and early root growth, reduce early vigor, and can make crop stress symptoms show up sooner and more severely.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agronomists have completed their spring survey of subsoil moisture in northwest Iowa. Subsoil moisture sampling in Iowa dates to February 1954 when ten sites were chosen for soil moisture sampling. In 1959, the sampling increased to 22 locations, and in 1971, 61 locations were sampled. Today, 18 locations are sampled in northwest Iowa.

The crop insurance planting dates have come and gone with barely a field planted for many farmers across Iowa in stark contrast to the last two springs. Cooler temperatures in early April and persistent rainfall has prevented much progress, as indicated by the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report on April 12. Rainfall totals over four inches in the past two weeks for a good swath of the state from southwest to northeast has replenished soil moisture.