Farmers had better planting weather last week, but the state Ag Department says they’re still running behind. The Ag Department report says the western third of the state saw drier conditions for planting, but central and eastern Iowa still had standing water and cold soil temperatures keeping farmers out of the fields.
The report says northwest Iowa farmers were able to plant over one-third of their expected corn acreage last week, west central Iowa planted over 30% and southwest Iowa planted 20% of their expected corn acreage. Statewide, just 18% of the projected corn acres are planted — which is behind last year’s mark of 42% and the five-year average of 64%. Corn planting is 11 days behind the five-year average.