(Spencer)– Last week’s warm, dry weather allowed some farmers in the region to get some field work done…and in some cases even some corn has been planted.
Paul Kassel, a Crops Specialist with the Iowa State University Extension Service, says a lot of fertilizer and anhydrous was being applied last week, along with some corn being planted in places.
Compared to long-term averages, Kassel says locally progress up to this same date is actually somewhat ahead of normal…compared to the last several springs at this time when things were lagging well behind schedule.
Kassel adds soil conditions right now are excellent. He says many producers have been extremely pleased with how well it’s been working up.
Kassel says Saturday’s quarter to half inch of rain was beneficial as the top soil was beginning to dry out. He says subsoil moisture remains very adequate.
Kassel expects farmers will be back in the fields in earnest this week with dry conditions and 70 to 80 degree temperatures in the forecast.
Statewide, the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service says six percent of Iowa’s corn crop had been planted last week, ahead of a year ago when no corn was in the ground by that time, but still behind the five-year average of 10 percent.
