DES MOINES — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.
“Farmers in some parts of the state have been dealing with wet field conditions after a rainy end to April. The first few days of May have been more favorable for farmers to get back into the fields,” said Secretary Naig. “With the next week or two looking generally warmer and drier, conditions should allow for farmers to make significant planting progress.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop Report
While some producers were able to get into their fields, precipitation continued to delay planting in many parts of the State, allowing only 3.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 4, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 9 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 18 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.
Corn planted reached 49 percent, 3 days ahead of last year but 2 days behind the 5-year average. Corn emerged reached 10 percent, 2 days ahead of last year’s pace and 3 days ahead of normal. Thirty-eight percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, one week ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans emerged reached 5 percent. Oats seeding reached 91 percent complete. Fifty-eight percent of the expected oat acreage has emerged, 4 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of normal. The first oat condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 66 percent good and 13 percent excellent.
Pasture condition rated 60 percent good to excellent. No livestock issues were reported.
