WOODBINE, Iowa — Conditions were ideal April 27 when Larry Barry started planting corn.
But, with heavy rain in the forecast and on the advice of his agronomist, the West Central Iowa farmer stopped planting a day shy of being done.
2018 Iowa Planting Survey
After a slow, cold start to spring, it’s time to plant.
Iowa Farmer Today checks in with farmers throughout the state for an update on soil conditions and planting progress.
West Central Iowa farmers wait out rain to finish up 2018 planting
Late plant ‘no reason to worry’ for farmers in Northwest Iowa
ALVORD, Iowa — Snow and rain kept many Northwest Iowa farmers out of the field this spring, and Ross Mogler is no exception.
Ross Mogler
But, he said May 2, there’s no reason to worry just yet.
Few days’ delay won’t hurt Southwest Iowa corn, beans
RIVERTON, Iowa — With a storm in the forecast, Dave Welchans was hustling April 30 to finish up corn planting.
“I did get it finished up, and we’ve had about an inch of rain this week,” he said May 3. Welchans farms in Fremont County in Southwest Iowa.
Planting progress surprises after snowy start
BELMOND, Iowa — It wasn’t long ago that there was snow on the ground here in Wright County.
“Who would have thought a couple of weeks ago that we would be this far along with planting already?” said Greg Showalter.
Timely rain makes for speedy planting
PRAIRIE CITY, Iowa — The planting season already came and went for some farmers in Central Iowa. At the very least, it was progressing well once the weather turned.
“I don’t know if we’ve ever put in a crop this fast,” said Kevin Wiggins, who took a break to talk about planting on May 3.
East Central farmers stick with the plan
ALBURNETT, Iowa — Dave Kirk stopped in Alburnett for supplies on his way out to the field April 30. He said so far planting in Linn County has been going well.
“The ground is working well though we could use a little rain,” he said. “I’d guess we’re about 75 percent done planting corn.”
Welcome rain helps South Central Iowa during planting
LIBERTY CENTER, Iowa — What a difference a year makes. The spring of 2017 was a wet one in this area of southern Warren County.
“Last year we were just full of water in the soil,” said Randy Eubank. “Of course, it just shut off after that, so it was a good thing we had that moisture. It carried us through the season.”
Planting heating up in Northeast Iowa
AURORA, Iowa — While some are content “working while the sun shines,” farmers know there are still tasks to be done even while the rain falls.
Buchanan County farmer Greg Alber took a load of corn to Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids while he waited for his Northeast Iowa fields to dry off May 1.
Dryness continues in Southeast
OTTUMWA, Iowa — All the talk of dry conditions in Southeast Iowa is a reality for Don Swanson of Wapello County.
“This is a little dryer than I’ve seen and I’ve never experienced the winds like we’ve had,” Swanson said by phone May 1 from his planter cab. “It’s so windy, and dry soil is blowing off the top here.”