From the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

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 are feeling anxious as the multiple rounds of rain produced soggy conditions that have not been fit for planting progress,” said Secretary Naig. “We need a stretch of sunshine and dry weather so that farmers can get back in the field.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop report

Fieldwork activities were limited as rain across the State held Iowa farmers to just 1.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 5, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Rains the past two weeks have resulted in reports of some counties moving out of the extreme to severe drought stages.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 12 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 20 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus.

Just 8 percent of Iowa’s expected corn crop was planted during the week ending May 5, 2024, for a total of 47 percent planted. This meant progress went from ahead of average to lagging 2 days behind both last year and the 5-year average. Seven percent of the corn crop has emerged, 3 days ahead of last year and 1 day ahead of the average. Soybean planting progress fell behind the previous year with 5 percent of Iowa’s expected soybean crop planted during the week ending May 5, 2024, for a total of 30 percent of the expected soybean crop planted, 2 days behind last year. Four percent of the soybean crop has emerged. Ninety-six percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 2 days ahead of last year and 10 days ahead of normal. Oat emergence reached 68 percent, 5 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. The first oat condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 59 percent good and 9 percent excellent.

The first hay condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 64 percent good and 11 percent excellent. Pasture condition rated 57 percent good to excellent. There were many reports of cattle being turned out to pasture.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Unseasonably wet conditions continued through the reporting period with several disturbances crossing the state. Rain on already saturated ground produced flooding in pockets of northern and southeastern Iowa. Temperatures varied from cooler than average in northwestern Iowa to unseasonably warm southeast; the statewide average temperature was near normal at 55.0 degrees.

Showers remained in eastern Iowa with additional redevelopment in western Iowa ahead of a low-pressure center through Sunday (28th) afternoon. Daytime temperatures reached into the upper 60s where cloud cover was sparse with light southerly winds. As the low propagated towards the Great Lakes, winds shifted westerly with Monday (29th) morning lows ranging from the low 40s northwest to upper 50s southeast. Widespread rain totals were reported at 7:00 am with the highest amounts in pockets of northwest and northeast Iowa; Dyersville (Dubuque County) measured 1.01 inches while Storm Lake (Buena Vista County) collected 1.21 inches with a statewide average of 0.35 inch. Overcast skies persisted north through the day with highs in the 50s, while southern Iowa was 10-15 degrees warmer under mostly sunny conditions. Winds became variable after midnight as starry skies reigned ahead of another approaching strong low-pressure system. Initial Tuesday (30th) morning showers fizzled in eastern Iowa as a warm front lifted across southern Iowa, pumping in moisture and increasing atmospheric instability. Discrete supercells fired rapidly along the cold front near the Iowa-Nebraska line around 3:00 pm; these storms tracked east-northeast and became severe-warned almost immediately. Reports of large hail and isolated straight-line winds followed the consolidating line east with 2.00-inch hail in Massena (Cass County) and a weak tornado near Millerton (Wayne County). The cold front exited eastern Iowa overnight into Wednesday (1st) as skies cleared ahead of another weather disturbance to the west. Event rain totals across western Iowa were in the 0.50-0.75-inch range at many stations with lesser amounts farther east. Showers with some rumbles of thunder increased through the late afternoon and evening hours with temperatures in the upper 50s northwest to upper 60s southeast.

Showers and thunderstorms overspread the state into Thursday (2nd) bringing widespread, moderate rainfall to much of Iowa. Rain continued across eastern Iowa through the afternoon hours with stubborn showers holding over the southeast corner where flood warnings were issued. Northwesterly winds ushered in cooler temperatures behind the system as dense fog developed from southwest to north-central Iowa. Rain totals reported on Friday (3rd) morning for the last 36 hours showed almost 200 stations receiving at least the weekly climatological average, which is just shy of an inch. Nearly 30 stations had 2.00 inches or more with 2.10 inches in Sigourney (Keokuk County) to 4.10 inches in Centerville (Appanoose County); the statewide average was 0.98 inch. Daytime conditions were pleasant with winds gradually shifting southerly and upper 60s and low 70s. Yet another low-pressure center entered western Iowa early Saturday (4th) morning with thunderstorms forming a narrow line along the attendant cold front. Rain totals were highest across west-central to north-central Iowa where amounts were in the 0.75-1.00 range; many of the state’s remaining stations collected 0.20-0.50 inch. Skies gradually cleared west to east through the afternoon and evening as highs held in the upper 50s. Variable winds developed into Sunday (5th) with lows generally in the upper 30s and low 40s.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.31 inch at Muscatine (Muscatine County) to 4.53 inches in Forest City (Winnebago County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 2.23 inches, more than double the normal of 0.93 inch. Shenandoah (Page County) reported the week’s high temperature of 83 degrees on the 30th, 15 degrees above average. Forest City and Storm Lake reported the week’s low temperature of 32 degrees on the 5th, on average 12 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures ranged from the mid 50s northwest to low 60s southeast as of Sunday.

From the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

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.

“Our hearts go out to the Iowans and communities that suffered damage caused by the severe weather over the weekend. As they begin a long process of recovering and rebuilding, the outpouring of support from fellow Iowans is a reminder of how truly special our state and its people are,” Secretary Naig said. “The widespread weekend rain will likely pause some planting progress, but with an active weather pattern continuing as we head into May, farmers will be eager to get back in the field when conditions are right.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop report

Although the week began with dry weather, by Friday severe storm systems brought cooler temperatures and rain which allowed Iowa farmers 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 28, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. The storms also brought tornadoes and hail to areas of the State. Corn, soybean and oat planting advanced early in the week, but came to a halt for most as storms arrived.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 17 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Recent rains led to just 22 percent short to very short for the State’s topsoil versus 37 percent as of April 21, 2024.  Subsoil moisture condition rated 14 percent very short, 27 percent short, 53 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus.

Corn planted reached 39 percent complete, 4 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the 5-year average Two percent of the expected corn crop has emerged. Twenty-five percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 4 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the average. Ninety percent of the expected oat crop has been planted, 5 days ahead of last year and 9 days ahead of the 5-year average. Fifty-three percent of the oat crop has emerged, 8 days ahead of last year.

Pastures and hay ground continued to green up, but warmer temperatures would aid in growth. Reports were received of cattle being turned out onto pasture.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Several waves of severe thunderstorms spawned multiple strong tornadoes, causing significant damage across portions of western and central Iowa late in the reporting period. This active storm track also brought much needed rainfall across the drought region, along with reports of hail and high winds. Unseasonably warm conditions persisted with positive departures of up to four degrees over southern Iowa; the statewide average temperature was 53.9 degrees, 2.0 degrees above normal.

Clear skies and westerly winds persisted through Sunday (21st) afternoon as daytime temperatures held in the upper 50s and low 60s. With high pressure dominating the weather pattern, southerly winds increased overnight as Monday (22nd) morning temperatures dropped into the upper 30s to low 40s. Afternoon temperatures rose into the upper 60s and low 70s as a cold front brought spotty showers across the state; the low-level atmosphere was particularly dry, evaporating most of the rain before hitting the surface. Light rain eventually registered across several stations towards daybreak on Tuesday (23rd) with College Springs (Page County) reporting 0.11 inch; most stations observed 0.01 inch or less. Extreme southeastern Iowa picked up additional rainfall from lingering showers with Keokuk Lock and Dam (Lee County) reporting 0.25 inch. Winds shifted to the northwest behind the front with daytime highs ranging from the low 50s northwest to low 70s southeast. Starry skies were observed into Wednesday (24th) with near-freezing temperatures over northern Iowa and low 40s for much of southern Iowa. Pleasant conditions greeted Iowans through the day with temperatures in the 60s under light, variable winds and sunny skies. Winds shifted southeasterly after midnight, signaling an approaching low-pressure center and a shift to an active weather pattern. Thursday (25th) started warm with temperatures in the low to mid 50s across much of Iowa. Clearing skies helped boost afternoon temperatures into the upper 60s in northwestern Iowa while mid 50s were observed south.

Showers and thunderstorms pushed into western Iowa during the early morning hours on Friday (26th) ahead of a warm front draped over southern Iowa. Rainfall overspread much of the state into the afternoon with overcast skies holding highs in the low to mid 50s; upper 60s and low 70s were reported in southwestern Iowa where clearing skies and higher dewpoints were amping up atmospheric instability. Intense supercells that blasted though eastern Nebraska crossed into Iowa, spawning several long-track, multi-vortex tornadoes. As the tornadoes plowed northeast, several towns experienced substantial damage along with heavy rain. Minden (Pottawattamie County) took a direct hit and experienced extensive damage to more than 75 homes. These storms eventually coalesced into a line that produced additional tornadoes, many rated EF-2, in central Iowa causing additional damage across Union, Clarke, Madison and Polk Counties. The system lost energy in eastern Iowa and cleared the state by daybreak on Saturday (27th). Rain totals were highest across three swaths of western, central and southeastern Iowa with nearly 80 stations reporting an inch; 50% of Iowa’s rain gauges had at least 0.46 inch; 1.83 inches was observed in Madrid (Polk County) while Missouri Valley (Harrison County) registered 1.94 inches. Saturday (27th) was another active weather day with severe thunderstorms firing over southeast Iowa through the afternoon and evening hours; there were several severe hail and high wind reports along with heavy rain. Most stations received an additional 0.25-0.50 inch with locations along the Iowa-Missouri border receiving more than an inch; two stations in Lee County, Augusta and Donnellson, observed 2.03 and 2.15 inch-totals, respectively. Showers lingered in the southeast corner into Sunday (28th) with lows in the 50s northwest to low 60s southeast.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.10 inch at Guttenberg Lock and Dam (Clayton County) to 4.72 inches in Little Sioux (Harrison County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.32 inches, while the normal is 0.91 inch. Iowa City (Johnson County) reported the week’s high temperature of 84 degrees on the 27th, 18 degrees above average. Several northern stations reported the week’s low temperature of 25 degrees on the 22nd, on average 12 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures ranged from the low 50s northwest to low 60s southeast as of Sunday.

Special to the Times Vedette

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.

“Soil temperatures are slowly warming up, the crop insurance coverage window will soon be opening, and a more active weather pattern is helping to replenish some soil moisture,” said Secretary Naig. “This time of year, nothing can eclipse farmers’ focus on getting ready for planting once conditions are favorable.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop report

Another week of colder than normal temperatures with rain and snow left Iowa farmers with 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 7, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Minimal fieldwork was done during the week, but some producers were able to apply anhydrous, manure, and dry fertilizer. High winds prevented producers from spraying fertilizer towards the end of the week.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 14 percent very short, 35 percent short, 47 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 26 percent very short, 38 percent short, 34 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Oats seeding reached 32 percent complete, 6 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Oats emerged reached 4 percent complete.

There were no reports of cattle turned out onto pasture yet as pastures continue to green up. Calving was in full swing with reports of mud in some areas. 

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

April began unseasonably cool with several windy days across Iowa. Temperatures were near normal in western Iowa and four degrees below average east; Iowa’s average temperature was 42.1 degrees, 1.8 degrees below normal. Eastern Iowa experienced above-average precipitation in the range of 125 to 400% of normal, while the southwest corner was unseasonably dry.

Thunderstorms began firing into the afternoon hours of Sunday (31st) over southeast Iowa with some becoming severe-warned; there were a handful of 1.00-inch hail reports in Lee and Van Buren Counties. Heavier rain was also reported in these storms with several stations collecting more than an inch of moisture; Fairfield (Jefferson County) measured 1.02 inches while Moulton (Davis County) observed 1.62 inches. Lighter showers formed over northern Iowa into Monday (1st) morning with additional storms forming to the southeast. There was a wide range of afternoon highs with upper 30s north to the mid to upper 50s south along with fog and mist. Winds shifted to a northerly direction after midnight with widespread showers across Iowa as a low-pressure center propagated northeast through Missouri. Rain totals reported at 7:00am on Tuesday (2nd) indicated that most stations accumulated at least 0.20 inch with nearly 100 southeastern stations collecting 0.50 inch or more; several Bloomfield (Davis County) gauges had totals ranging from 0.98 inch to 2.70 inches with a statewide average of 0.43 inch. Precipitation gradually tapered off as clouds thinned in western Iowa, where low to mid 50s were present. Temperatures remained in the low 30s farther east as snow showers wrapped in behind the low-pressure center. Snow accumulated at 130 stations with totals ranging from 0.1 inch in Clive (Polk County) to 5.7 inches in Dubuque (Dubuque County). Spotty rain and snow showers continued into Wednesday (3rd) as strong northerly winds built in across the state with sustained winds in the 20-40 mph range; airports in Algona (Kossuth County) and Cedar Rapids (Linn County) reported 52-mph wind gusts. Clouds cleared west to east with daytime temperatures in the 50s where the sun was visible. Precipitation gradually pushed out of eastern Iowa into the evening hours with Bellevue Lock and Dam (Jackson County) collecting 3.0 inches of snow along with an additional 0.50 inch of rain in Bloomfield.

Overnight lows into Thursday (4th) dropped into the upper 20s and low 30s in western Iowa where stars were present. Persistent cloud cover in eastern Iowa held temperatures in the mid 30s. Overcast conditions remained through the day across Iowa’s eastern half with mid to upper 40s and gusty northerly winds; conditions were clear and up to 10 degrees warmer farther west. Winds decreased as the sun set, becoming light and variable into Friday (5th) with lows in the upper 20s in central and northern Iowa. Easterly winds increased through the day with sunny skies and afternoon temperatures in the 50s to low 60s east to west. Gusty southeasterly winds returned on Saturday (6th) as a strong low-pressure center approached from the west. Daytime temperatures were the warmest of the week with some stations in the upper 60s while widespread upper 50s and low 60s were reported. A thin line of thundershowers formed in the evening hours in west-central Iowa followed by a broader swath of showers overnight into Sunday (7th). Rain totals were generally under 0.20 inch though amounts approaching 0.50 inch were found in north-central Iowa.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.03 inch in Audubon (Audubon County) to 4.40 inches in DeWitt (Clinton County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.02 inches, almost double the normal of 0.66 inch. Sioux City Airport reported the week’s high temperature of 69 degrees on the 6th, 11 degrees above average. Elkader (Clayton County) reported the week’s low temperature of nine degrees on the 6th, 10 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures ranged from the low 40s north to upper 40s south as of Sunday.

Special to the Times Vedette

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented Monday 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.

“Whether it’s the birth of a new calf or the emergence of the first seedlings popping through the soil, spring always brings a feeling of renewal, anticipation and optimism,” said Secretary Naig. “As Iowa farmers look ahead to this growing season and make planting preparations, we are encouraged by the more active weather patterns. While our historic streak of 195 weeks of D1 drought continues and we still have significant moisture deficits to make up, longer term outlooks appear to be favorable for more consistent rainfall.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop report

Much of the State experienced cooler than normal temperatures and much needed rain/snow showers which left Iowa farmers with 1.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending March 31, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Although minimal fieldwork occurred over the last week, some producers were able to apply anhydrous, manure, and dry fertilizer.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 22 percent very short, 37 percent short, 37 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 35 percent very short, 41 percent short, 22 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Oats seeding has already reached 21 percent complete, 11 days ahead of both last year and the 5-year average. Much of the seeding took place prior to the week ending March 31. Some seeding took place several weeks ago and is starting to emerge.

No reports of cattle turned out onto pasture yet as many pastures are just beginning to green up with little new growth. Calving was in full swing.

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

An active storm track brought unseasonably wet conditions to Iowa’s northwestern two-thirds, leading to widespread improvement in drought conditions. Temperatures during the first reporting period of 2024 varied from cooler conditions in the northwest to marginal warmth in the southeast; the statewide average temperature was 40.2 degrees, 2.3 degrees below normal.

Several waves of showers and a few thunderstorms continued across Iowa through Sunday (24th) afternoon and evening with east-southeasterly winds. Daytime highs ranged from the mid-30s north to low 50s south, where periodic peaks of sun were observed. A southerly shift in the wind occurred overnight as the large-scale, low-pressure center pushed into western Iowa. Muddy rain was reported on Monday (25th) morning as a large dust plume from New Mexico was lofted into the atmosphere and transported northeast via the mid-level steering flow. A dry slot with minimal cloud cover formed in the early afternoon allowing highs to rise into the low 60s across central and southern Iowa. Showers and thunderstorms reformed in southeastern Iowa and then across a broader area in western Iowa through the remainder of the day. The low-pressure center finally exited Iowa early on Tuesday (26th) with some snowflakes flying as colder air wrapped in behind the system. Event rain totals were well above average for most locations with over 140 stations collecting at least an inch in Iowa’s northwestern half; more than one-third of the stations in west-central to northwest Iowa measured 2.00 to 3.00 inches with 3.05 inches in Jefferson (Greene County). Strong northwesterly winds developed in the afternoon with mid 20s northwest to mid-30s southeast under overcast skies. Clouds gradually cleared west to east before sunrise on Wednesday (27th) with morning lows in the teens under clear skies and in the mid-20s farther east where stratus clouds were present. Unseasonable cool afternoon temperatures held in the 30s with westerly winds. 

Partly cloudy skies persisted into Thursday (28th) morning as light winds became variable with temperatures across western Iowa in the 20s to low 30s southeast. Winds shifted to the east through the daylight hours with temperatures reaching into the upper 60s in the southwest counties while conditions were up to 25 degrees cooler to the northeast. Spotty and light showers developed in eastern Iowa with several stations picking up a trace of rainfall; Muscatine (Muscatine County) measured 0.12 inch. Morning temperatures on Friday (29th) were in the 30s as persistent easterly winds gained strength. A warm front lifted north into the state as winds shifted to the south in advance of a low-pressure system approaching Iowa. Highs reached into the mid-70s south of the front while conditions held in the upper 50s in northern Iowa. Isolated strong to severe storms fired in eastern Iowa after sunset. Stations that received rain generally reported under 0.20 inch though locations under heavier storms observed totals ranging from 0.56 inch in Dubuque (Dubuque County) to 0.79 inch in Hopkinton (Delaware County). Saturday (30th) was somewhat of a chilly day with clear skies, gusty northerly winds and temperatures in the low 40s northwest to low 60s southeast. Overcast conditions developed into Sunday (31st) morning with low temperatures dropping into the upper 30s across northern Iowa.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.03 inch in Moulton (Davis County) to 3.11 inches in Eagle Grove (Wright County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.20 inches, almost double the normal of 0.64 inch. Shenandoah (Page County) reported the week’s high temperature of 76 degrees on the 29th, 18 degrees above average. Primghar (O’Brien County) and Sibley (Osceola County) reported the week’s low temperature of nine degrees on the 27th, on average 19 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures ranged from the low 40s north to upper 40s south as of Sunday.