Local fields were aflutter with activity during the past week as farmers stayed busy planting this year's corn and soybean crop.

According to the Iowa Department of Agriculture, Iowa farmers planted more than one-third of the expected soybean crop last week for a total of 43 percent planted, 12 days ahead of normal. More than half of the state's expected corn crop is in the ground as well, with a total of 69 percent planted, nine days ahead of the five-year average. There were also scattered reports of corn emerging in various parts of the state.

The region could use a drink of water, though. The U.S Drought Monitor on April 29 labeled both O'Brien and Clay counties as experiencing severe drought conditions. Most of northwest Iowa was experiencing similar circumstances, with only a few slivers of ground marked slightly less dry.