#Plant26: Iowa Planting Progress Moves Ahead Despite Dry Conditions in the Corn Belt

Emily Oberbroeckling says producers in northeast Iowa have made strong planting progress while continuing to monitor moisture conditions.

GARNAVILLO, Iowa (RFD News) — Farmers continue making strong planting progress across much of the Corn Belt, though dry conditions are beginning to create concerns in some areas.

USDA’s latest Crop Progress Report shows both corn and soybeans running ahead of the five-year average nationwide.

Emily Oberbroeckling with the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report for an update on conditions across northeast Iowa and the surrounding tri-state region.

During her conversation with RFD News, Oberbroeckling said planting progress in the area has remained ahead of schedule thanks to favorable weather conditions over the last several weeks.

“Here in Northeast Iowa, a lot like what you said, planting progress is ahead of schedule. We’re about 80-85 percent according to recent reports that planting has been good. The weather has within the last couple of weeks has really been nice,” she continued, “We did see some rain, which we did need after a little bit of a dry spell as well.”

The discussion also focused on current land auction activity across the Midwest, along with how livestock diversity in the region may be helping support farm income and land values.

Oberbroeckling additionally discussed unique agricultural trends developing across the environmentally diverse tri-state area.

Related Stories
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities joins us to break down the latest USDA crop progress report, share insights from growers, and discuss how global factors are shaping planting decisions this season.
Growers are making progress with planting despite dry conditions.
Dry conditions are already showing up in pastures across the region this April.
House lawmakers push toward a Farm Bill vote as debate grows over E15, Prop 12, and input costs, with farmers seeking certainty and policy updates.
High input costs and persistant drought is pushing Midwest growers to rethink planting decisions.
Spring Weather Splits Conditions Across American Farm Country

Knoxville native Neal Burnette-Irwin is a graduate from MTSU where he majored in Journalism and Entertainment Studies. He works as a digital content producer with RFD News and is represented by multiple talent agencies in Nashville and Chicago.


LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Vermicompost business helps boost soil health from the ground up.
California almond acreage tightens while pistachios shift into an off-year, shaping a mixed outlook for prices and supply in the tree nut market.
New treatments offer hope, but challenges remain for beekeepers.
Georgia Grown Marketing Coordinator Happy Wyatt has spent the past 20 years teaching young students about agriculture and its connection to their everyday lives.
RFD News correspondent Frank McCaffrey spoke with the Texas Shrimp Association at the Port of Brownsville about the future of the USDA’s new Office of Seafood.
NAAA’s Andrew Moore joins us to discuss the role of ag aircraft in crop protection and emerging concerns surrounding stolen agricultural drones.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
From soil to harvest. Top Crop is an all-new series about four of the best farmers in the world—Dan Luepkes, of Oregan, Illinois; Cory Atley, of Cedarville, Ohio; Shelby Fite, of Jackson Center, Ohio; Russell Hedrick, of Hickory, North Carolina—reveals what it takes for them to make a profitable crop. It all starts with good soil, patience, and a strong planter setup.