Wet and windy conditions slowed planting for Iowa farmers during the week ending May 17, according to the May 18 Iowa Crop and Weather report, with farmers reporting the wet weather led to standing water in some fields and the wind halting spraying activity.

“Farmers continue to make planting progress and remain ahead of the five-year average for both corn and soybeans,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “The wet weather has slowed progress significantly, especially in southwest Iowa, and there is some standing water being reported.”

State Meteorologist Harry Hillaker said cooler-than-normal weather prevailed from last Monday through Thursday, with highs on May 18 only in the mid-40s over northwestern Iowa.

The report said 92 percent of corn has been planted, six days ahead of last year and five days ahead of the 5-year average, with northwestern Iowa already having 98 percent in the ground. The report stated corn had reached 63 percent emerged.

Virgil Schmitt, Iowa State University extension field agronomist, said if corn planting is delayed until May 25, Iowa farmers “should select a hybrid that matures five days earlier than an adapted full-season hybrid for that area,” adding “the date to switch maturities is later in southern Iowa.”

The report said soybean planting reached 51 percent complete, three days ahead of 2014, and two days ahead of the average. Only 17 percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted in southwestern Iowa, with south-central Iowa having the next lowest, at 40 percent complete.

Moreover, nearly all of Iowa’s oat crop has been planted, with 92 percent emerging, eight days ahead of last year and five days ahead of normal. But limited progress has been made on the first cutting of alfalfa hay because of the cool, wet weather.