Drier conditions have allowed many farmers around the state to wrap up the planting season. 

Dallas County Extension Field Agronomist Meaghan Anderson says in central Iowa a majority of soybeans have been planted and already emerged and have entered into that V1 stage of growth. She adds that the majority of corn has emerged in the ground and in the second leaf stage of growth. 

“For the most part, things look really nice. There are a few issues out there that we’re seeing.. But the corn you can roll already. And some of that early planted corn is already up to (stage) V4 or so, which would be I mean, it has four fully developed leaves on it, which is quite impressive for kind of getting toward the middle or end of May.”

Anderson describes the soil conditions as pretty good even after dry and warm conditions. She says there have been some nice rain falls in the last 30 days but not enough. 

“Overall really honestly we have been on this dry and hot trend which isn’t bad but we are going to need moisture eventually.” 

According to the latest Crop Progress and Condition Report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture, farmers had  4.8 suitable fieldwork days last week.