The U-S-D-A issued its first crop progress report yesterday, and as you might imagine, planting has been slow to get started due to cold soil temperatures. South Dakota, Nebraska, and Minnesota, all, have not yet statistically planted any corn acres this year, and Iowa has less than one percent of its corn planted. Joel DeJong, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Crops Specialist for northwest Iowa says it is still too cool.
DeJong says soil temperatures should be at or above 50 degrees and rising before planting begins. Despite the dry conditions, De Jong says northwest Iowa farmers are learning soil profiles are in better position compared to 2021.
De Jong says he has concerns about the moisture levels the further south he travels.
