Farmers in southeast Iowa have been busy in the last week with six days suitable for field work and they are ahead of the five-year planting averages in the state. According to this week’s Crop Progress and Condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 24% of corn has been planted, ahead of the average of 7%. Also 16% of soybeans are in the ground in southeast Iowa, ahead of the five-year average of 3% for this time in April.

So far, 67% of oats are planted in southeast Iowa and 24% have emerged.

Across the state currently pasture is rated at 5% excellent, 42% good, 41% fair, and 12% poor to very poor.