Last week’s rains kept farmers out of the fields.
Spring planting was delayed after rain fell nearly every day through Friday. The week started with two and a half inches of rain falling on Easter Sunday and most of the area received another inch throughout the week.
According to Monday’s Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA, corn planting has reached 34-percent – two days ahead of average. Corn emerging statewide has reached two percent. Twenty-five percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted – four days ahead of average.
We had an opportunity to visit with local farmers firsthand last week as we were out delivering KMCH Plantin’ Snack Sacks across our listening area. We caught up with Chris Domeyer farming in the Delaware area last Tuesday.
Parker Ries was our winner last Wednesday. Parker is doing an internship right now through his studies at Kirkwood, working for Stansberry Ag in Ryan.
Josh Rahe, who farms near rural Greeley, was our winner Thursday. Rahe said he had gotten some spraying done, but wasn’t able to plant just yet.
Mike Mullis farms north of Earlville. He told KMCH it’s been slow-going for spring planting so far this year.
The weekend brought sunshine and a break from the rain, giving the fields a chance to begin drying out. Dave Lansing of Worthington told us yesterday that he’s hoping to get back out there soon.
Iowa Secretary of Ag Mike Naig says outlooks for the next few weeks show unseasonably warm temperatures and perhaps a break in the wet weather, which would give farmers a window to get in the field.