Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

A good week to plant

Crop planting progress surges statewide

Drier and warmer conditions last week allowed many farmers an opportunity to make planting progress, which led to a jump in both corn and soybeans acres planted.

According to the latest crop progress and condition report by the USDA, mostly dry weather and warmer temperatures meant Iowa farmers had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 7. Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 27 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 8 percent very short, 33 percent short, 56 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus.

Forty-...