Image courtesy of US Drought Monitor

After having some rainy days to begin April, the precipitation has helped to jumpstart Iowa’s crop planting season. 

According to the weekly crop report from the Iowa Department of Agriculture, last week saw colder than normal temperatures with some rainfall that limited farm fields from getting prepped for the planting season. However, Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says precipitation is needed leading up to when planting begins.

“That doesn’t mean you’re going to work yourself out of the drought that we’ve had for the last couple of years, you don’t do that overnight. But what it does mean is your setting yourself up for success this spring. So yes, this more active weather pattern is certainly a blessing.”   

According to the National Weather Service as of Friday, Jefferson, Guthrie Center and Perry have seen at least 0.5 inches of participation or less for the month of April. This has led to drought conditions remaining stagnant in the Raccoon Valley Radio area. The US Drought Monitor shows Greene, Guthrie and Dallas counties are still in a moderate drought.