Southeast Iowa Crop Conditions

Spring planting has wrapped up southeast of Storm Lake with many fields beginning to show green popping up in rows. Planting conditions were generally very good. Plant stands in the fields that were planted in April have been very good. Crops that were planted by May 7th or 8th are just beginning to emerge from the soil.
There were pockets, especially further to the east and south, that received excessive amounts of precipitation during the end of April. The wet pockets, in these areas, have generally dried with planting or replanting resuming this week.
We have also seen a few instances where the top few inches of soil were completely dried due to tillage coupled with the sun, heat and wind from this week. Additional precipitation will be needed for seeds planted in those conditions to germinate. Both issues mentioned above are in the minority.
Looking ahead, the weather is forecasted to turn cool and wet. There is a strong chance of widespread precipitation early next week. The forecasted temperatures range with daytime highs from the upper 50s to the low 70s and nighttime lows ranging from the upper 30s up to the low 50s.

Pictured below to the left is corn that was planted on April 17th. Pictured above to the right is soybeans that were planted on April 29th. Both pictures were taken on May 13th.