Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.
“Many farmers got a good start on planting last week, though widespread rain on Thursday and again over the weekend parked planters for a few days,” said Secretary Naig. “The good news is that soil temperatures are on the rise, and outlooks into May are showing the potential for cooler and drier weather after a very active stretch of severe weather. I expect farmers will be making the most of every good window to keep planting moving along.”
Crop Report
There were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 26, 2026, which is 2.0 days more than last year. Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 8 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. Corn planting in Iowa reached 22 percent complete, which is 10 percent behind last year when 32 percent of the crop had been planted. Soybean planting reached 11 percent, which is 12 percent behind 2025, when 23 percent of the crop had been planted. Oats planting reached 74 percent, 5 percent behind last year when 79 percent had been planted.
Source : iowaagriculture.gov