Planting Delayed For Most Of Iowa

Apr 20, 2026

By Mark Licht and Meaghan Anderson

The crop insurance planting dates have come and gone with barely a field planted for many farmers across Iowa in stark contrast to the last two springs. Cooler temperatures in early April and persistent rainfall has prevented much progress, as indicated by the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report on April 13. Rainfall totals over four inches in the past two weeks for a good swath of the state from southwest to northeast has replenished soil moisture. Now with a full soil moisture profile, farmers and agronomists are closely watching the weather forecast to see when a planting window will open.

Planting window

The planting window for optimal corn and soybean yields extends from about mid-April to about May 15-20 in Iowa (Figure 1). As we approach the end of ideal planting window, corn yield potential drops faster than soybean yield potential. Prioritize corn planting ahead of soybean as those mid-May dates approach.

While the ideal planting window is very important, planting when soil conditions are fit is equally critical. Soil temperatures should remain warm (>50^oF), and frost chances are minimal at this point in the season with an overall warmer-than-average expected outlook. Soil moisture ranges substantially across the state, so all farmers should pay careful attention to field conditions and equipment settings when it is time to plant.

Source : iastate.edu

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