Iowa’s corn planting has been delayed by recent cool, wet weather, with nine percent of the crop in the ground compared to a five-year average of 16 percent for this time of year, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data.
In addition, less than one percent of the state’s soybean crop has been planted. Farmers have said they are waiting for fields to dry out. The rain, however, has an upside: soil moisture has improved, with topsoil at 88 percent adequate or surplus, and improved subsoil, according to the data. Normal rainfall during the week ending April 21 was exceeded in the northern half of Iowa and came up short in the southern half.
Overall, U.S. corn planting is ahead of average, at 17 percent as of April 15.