Spring planting is way ahead of normal for Iowa farmers

The latest report from the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service says Iowa farmers have planted 97 percent of the expected corn crop.  That's three weeks ahead of last year and almost two weeks ahead of the 5-year average. Corn emergence was at 82 percent, an improvement of 20 percentage points from the previous week. The first corn condition rating of the season means zero percent is very poor, two percent poor, 17 percent fair, 67 percent good and 14 percent excellent.
 
The soybean crop moved to 92 percent planted, nearly a month ahead of last year and over two weeks ahead of average. 52 percent of the soybean crop has emerged, doubling the amount of soybeans emerged from the previous week.
 
95 percent of the oat crop has emerged. Oat condition rated 81 percent good to excellent.
 
Hay condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition improved to 66 percent good to excellent. There was little stress on livestock, although feed lots remain muddy.