Planting across Iowa mainly on track in 2023

May 10, 2023 | Jeff Hutton

Warmer and mostly drier weather this past week has meant a surge in planting across the state.

That’s the information from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s (IDALS) latest crop progress and condition report.

“Over the last week, farmers made significant planting progress before late-week thunderstorms brought much needed moisture along with unwanted hail and high winds,” says Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig. “Rain chances continue this week, but weather outlooks through mid-May are shifting toward warmer temperatures and somewhat drier conditions.”

Of Iowa’s expected soybean crop, one-third of the state’s beans were planted during the week ending May 7 for a total of 49% planted, 11 days ahead of 2022 and just more than a week ahead of the average. Of the state’s corn crop, 41% was planted during the week resulting in 70% planted, 12 days ahead of last year and one week ahead of the five-year average. Six percent of the corn crop has emerged, six days ahead of last year but a day behind average.

Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) District Advisory Council (DAC) members say they are on track with planting thus far in 2023.

“Struthers Farms wrapped up corn and soybeans on April 28, except the 65 acres where the rye is waiting for more growth and then harvested for forage,” says Dave Struthers, a DAC member and ISA District 5 Director from Story County. “Most of the neighbors are done with corn, except the guy that did beans first.”

Farmer-members Lance and Kerri Bell are in good shape, but say more rain is needed in southeast Iowa.

“It’s getting awfully dry here in Washington County,” the Bells say. “We’ve missed recent rains again. Things are progressing well despite the lack of rain. We should wrap up planting this week depending on the weather.”

In Guthrie County, DAC member Kris Langgaard says “all but 30 acres (which is a soybean rate trial) of soybeans are planted; 80% done with corn. Soil conditions are remarkably better than last year and both disked and no-till fields are loose and moisture is present.”

Tony Lem in northern Polk County says he has finished planting corn and he is at 60% with his soybeans.

Meanwhile in northeast Iowa, Mason Riehle in Winneshiek County says planting is on track.

“Soybeans for most people were planted before corn because of the temperature of the soil,” he says. “Most beans were planted the first week of May. Temperatures finally warmed up and everything is really growing now after the warm rains.”

Overall, Iowa farmers had 5.7 days that were suitable for fieldwork during the week that ended on May 7, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

In the IDALS report, topsoil moisture conditions rated 6% very short, 27% short, 64% adequate and 3% surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 8% very short, 33% short, 56% adequate and 3% surplus.

Meanwhile, Iowa’s six neighboring states reported varying crop numbers.

In Nebraska, the NASS report noted that soybeans planted was at 36%, ahead of 27% last year and 29% average. Emergence was at 2%, near 1% last year, and equal to average. Corn planted was at 56%, ahead of 37% last year and 51% for the five-year average. Emergence was at 11%, ahead of 4% last year, and near 9% average.

In South Dakota, soybeans planted was at 10%, ahead of 4% last year, and equal to average. Corn planted there was listed at 26%, ahead of 10% last year, and near 24% for the five-year average.

In Missouri, soybeans planted was 50% complete, compared to the five-year average of 12. Soybeans emerged was 21% complete, compared to the five-year average of 2%. Corn planted was 92% complete, compared to the five-year average of 56%. Corn emerged was 56% complete, compared to the five-year average of 25%.

To the east of Iowa in Illinois, soybeans planted reached 66%, compared to the five-year average of 28%. Soybeans emerged reached 14% compared to the five-year average of 6%. Corn planted reached 73%, compared to the five-year average of 46%. Corn emerged reached 17%, compared to the five-year average of 14%.

Soybean planting in Wisconsin was 11% complete, three days ahead of last year but two days behind average. Corn planting was 14% complete, three days ahead of last year but five days behind the average.

And in Minnesota, soybean planting was listed at 13% complete, nine days ahead of last year but four days behind the five-year average. Corn planting reached 38% complete, nine days ahead of 2022, but one day behind the five-year average. Corn emergence reached 2%.

As for the next 10 days, the weather forecast across Iowa calls for mostly dry conditions in the 70s and low 80s with scattered rain and thunderstorms slated for this weekend.

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