Iowa crop report for May 24

 Rain throughout the week resulted in 2.5 days suitable for field work during the week ending May 24, 2020, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Below normal temperatures have slowed crop growth. 

Topsoil moisture levels rated 0% very short, 2% short, 76% adequate and 22% surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 1% very short, 3% short, 79% adequate and 17% surplus. 

Iowa farmers have planted 97% of the expected corn crop, 3 weeks ahead of last year and almost 2 weeks ahead of the 5-year average. Corn emergence was at 82%, an improvement of 20 percentage points from the previous week. The first corn condition rating of the season was 0% very poor, 2% poor, 17% fair, 67% good and 14% excellent. The soybean crop moved to 92% planted, nearly a month ahead of last year and over 2 weeks ahead of average. Farmers in Southwest Iowa have over 25% of their soybeans left to plant. Fifty-two percent of the soybean crop has emerged, doubling the amount of soybeans emerged from the previous week. Ninety-five percent of the oat crop has emerged. Oat condition rated 81% good to excellent. 

Hay condition rated 73% good to excellent. Pasture condition improved to 66% good to excellent. There was little