Iowa

Although Iowa farmers are still marking a record planting season for 2010, the inclement weather continues to hinder their progress in finishing, which is now creating some replanting concerns.

“The run of near-perfect planting weather has come to an end, but most farmers remain well ahead of their normal pace for getting their crops in the ground,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey who still raises corn and soybeans in Spirit Lake in northern Iowa.

“However, the sporadic heavy rains, high winds and freezing temperatures certainly caused some concerns for farmers across the state,” he added.

According to the May 10 Iowa Crops and Weather Report, released by the USDA, the week saw scattered rain showers, high winds, colder temperatures and widespread frost.

“Temperatures dropping into the high 20s in northern Iowa and low 30s in southern Iowa during the overnight hours led to frost and decreasing soil temperatures,” the report said. “This caused concern that replanting may be necessary.”

The report said corn planting was 93 percent complete and 11 days ahead of last year and the five-year average. Soybean planting was 44 percent complete, compared with 19 percent last year and 17 percent for the five-year average.

State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said temperatures over the past reporting week were highly variable, which was more typical of an Iowa spring than what had been seen in the previous several weeks.

“Tuesday (May 4th) was the warmest day with highs mostly in the 80s while temperatures were well below normal throughout the weekend when highs were mostly in the 50s,” he said.

By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent