Weekly Iowa Crops and Weather Report
| Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report May 26 – June 1, 2025Iowa 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. “Planting is nearly complete across the state and most of the corn and soybeans have emerged. Many farmers are now turning their attention to applying crop protection products and baling hay,” said Secretary Naig. “While haze from Canadian wildfires has hung around the last few days, it’s expected to clear by mid-week. The forecast shows much of the state could receive some welcome rain in the week ahead.” The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov. Crop Report Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 23 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 27 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Corn planted reached 97 percent. Corn emerged reached 87 percent, 6 days ahead of last year’s pace and 1 day ahead of normal. Corn condition rated 84 percent good to excellent. Ninety-six percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted. Soybeans emerged reached 79 percent, 10 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Ninety-five percent of the State’s oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 41 percent, 2 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of normal. Oat condition rated 85 percent good to excellent. Sixty-one percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, 6 days ahead of last year and average. Hay condition rated 83 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Weather Summary Upper level wildfire smoke produced a copper-colored Sun on several days during the reporting period, slightly reducing incoming solar radiation. Along with persisting cloud cover mid-week, air temperatures remained cooler than normal for the end of May; the statewide average temperature was 62.2 degrees, 2.4 degrees below normal. Rainfall totals were generally light across the state with scarce amounts in south-central and eastern Iowa. Showers moving across southern Iowa dissipated by noon on Sunday (25th), leaving behind totals generally under 0.10 inch; Pacific Junction (Mills County) reported more than double this amount at 0.22 inch. Most of Iowa reported clear conditions into Monday (26th) morning with lows ranging from the upper 40s north to mid 50s south. Clouds began to increase over southwestern Iowa during the late morning with mostly cloudy skies developing statewide toward the evening hours as temperatures reached into the upper 60s and low 70s. Showers developed across western Iowa into Tuesday (27th) as a cut-off low pressure system stalled over the Upper Midwest. Overcast skies and rain persisted through the day with high temperatures ranging from the upper 50s northwest to low 70s southeast. Light rain tapered off overnight into Wednesday (28th) with cloudy morning conditions and temperatures in the 50s. Event rain totals were highest in western Iowa with 0.51 inch at Sioux City Airport (Woodbury County) to 0.64 inch in Bedford (Taylor County). Many stations receiving rainfall had general amounts in the 0.20-0.40-inch range with lesser amounts farther east. Unsettled conditions continued through the daylight hours with high temperatures in the 60s and light, northerly winds. Patchy fog formed in central to western Iowa early on Thursday (29th) with clouds hanging over much of northern Iowa. Peeks of sunshine were visible here and there towards the evening with temperatures warming into the upper 60s and low 70s with some scattered light showers. Wind shifted to a northwesterly direction into Friday (30th), ushering Canadian wildfire smoke into the region. Wind speeds increased across the state with temperatures breaching the 80 degrees mark across southeastern Iowa; conditions held in the upper 70s over the rest of Iowa with ample sunshine. Saturday (31st) was an ideal day for Iowans with light and variable winds, comfortable relative humidity and highs in the low 80s. Sunday (1st) morning dawned with lows in the 50s and upper level smoke producing a beautiful sunrise. Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation at multiple stations in east-central Iowa to 0.79 inch in Remsen (Plymouth County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.21 inch; the normal is 1.08 inches. Several southwest stations reported the week’s high temperature of 88 degrees on the 31st, on average nine degrees above normal. Multiple northern Iowa stations reported the week’s low temperature of 40 degrees on the 26th and 27th, on average 12 degrees below normal.
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Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
May 19 – May 25, 2025
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.
“Last week’s cool and soggy conditions sidelined many farmers who were looking to finish planting or complete other field work. Despite the delays, most farmers are grateful to receive the rain as we recharge our soils and give the crops a strong early season boost,” said Secretary Naig. “We expect a less active weather pattern with warmer temperatures and spotty rain in the week ahead.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop Report
Timely rains while needed, limited Iowa farmers to 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 25, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean planting continued but some producers are waiting for warmer and drier conditions to start spraying.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 15 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 23 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus.
Corn planted reached 95 percent. Corn emerged reached 76 percent, 6 days ahead of last year’s pace and 2 days ahead of normal. Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 62 percent good and 21 percent excellent. Ninety-two percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, just over 2 weeks ahead of last year and 8 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans emerged reached 60 percent, 8 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of normal. Soybean condition rated 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 17 percent fair, 64 percent good and 16 percent excellent. Ninety-two percent of the State’s oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 26 percent. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 69 percent good and 17 percent excellent.
Forty percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. Hay condition rated 85 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 68 percent good to excellent.
Weather Summary
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Unseasonably cool and wet conditions were the headline of the reporting period with widespread, beneficial rain across much of Iowa; nearly 250-300% of normal rainfall was observed in central to eastern Iowa. Coupled with cloud cover and rain, conditions were six to 10 degrees below normal with the statewide average temperature at 55.0 degrees, 8.1 degrees below normal.
Easterly winds persisted through Sunday (18th) afternoon under sunny skies and highs in the upper 60s and low 70s. Cloud cover increased towards midnight as showers and a few thunderstorms pushed into southwest Iowa ahead of a low pressure center over the Dakotas. Rain totals at 7:00 am on Monday (19th) were in the 0.25 – 0.75 inch range across much of western Iowa with pockets over an inch near the Iowa-Nebraska border; Randolph (Fremont County) reported 1.10 inches while 1.55 inches was observed in Blencoe (Harrison County). A stronger disturbance moved into southern Iowa during the afternoon hours, where high temperatures were in the mid to upper 60s. Severe-warned thunderstorms crossed into Iowa from northern Missouri and sped northeast into late evening as showers and thunderstorms overspread much of Iowa. Several reports of hail were noted along I-35 with 2.00-inch diameter hail in Grand River (Decatur County) and Osceola (Clarke County). Light to moderate rain continued from central to northeastern Iowa into Tuesday (20th) morning with lows in the mid 40s northeast to upper 50s southwest. Additional stronger thunderstorms fired in eastern Iowa as the low pressure center transited into Wisconsin in the latter daytime hours. Nearly 85% of Iowa stations reported an inch or more with 70 stations collecting at least two inches, particularly along a swath of south-central to central Iowa and into eastern Iowa; Gilbert (Story County) registered 3.02 inches while Norwalk (Warren County) observed 4.76 inches. At a statewide average of 2.06 inches, these rain totals made up the bulk of the week’s rainfall.
Overcast skies remained through Wednesday (21st) with daytime highs in the low 50s north to low 60s south with gusty northwesterly winds. Light showers filtered into eastern Iowa, though totals were generally under a few tenths of an inch; Anamosa (Jones County) collected 0.20 inch with 0.31 inch in Park View (Scott County). Skies over western Iowa cleared into Thursday (22nd) morning, allowing lows to drop into the low to mid 40s. Highs rose into the 60s across much of the state as stubborn clouds and light northerly winds remained. Friday (23rd) was pleasant as mostly sunny skies, light winds and temperatures in the mid to upper 60s greeted Iowans ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Cloud cover and showers moved through western Iowa into the late evening and dissipated through the overnight hours. Northwest Iowa reported the highest totals with 0.55 inch in Orange City (Sioux County) with totals tapering off to a few tenths east and south. Saturday (24th) stayed cloudy for most of the day with temperatures in the low 60s to low 70s with light showers filling in across southern Iowa after sunset. The highest rain totals, between 0.21 – 0.42 inch, were isolated to Mills, Page and Pottawattamie counties as of Sunday (25th) morning.
Weekly rain totals ranged 0.49 inch in Sanborn (O’Brien County) to 4.99 inches in Grand River. The statewide weekly average rainfall was 2.10 inches; the normal is 1.10 inches. Several stations reported the week’s high temperature of 78 degrees on the 18th, on average five degrees above normal. Mason City (Cerro Gordo County) reported the week’s low temperature of 32 degrees on the 20th, 17 degrees below normal. Soil temperatures were in the upper 50s to low 60s statewide as of Sunday.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
May 12 – 18, 2025
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.
“Iowa farmers made significant progress in the field last week thanks to several consecutive days of warm and windy weather conditions,” said Secretary Naig. “This week’s forecast calls for cooler temperatures and several chances of rain showers, which may cause farmers to pause field work for a few days. We need the moisture across the state, and the widespread rainfall will give the recently planted corn and soybeans a good boost.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop Report
Little or no precipitation and warm temperatures allowed Iowa farmers 6.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 18, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Corn and soybean planting made rapid progress. There were scattered reports of replanting as early planted crops in some areas had struggled to emerge with the dry conditions.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 8 percent very short, 37 percent short, 53 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 34 percent short, 58 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.
Corn planted reached 91 percent complete, 12 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the 5-year average. Fifty-eight percent of corn had emerged, 5 days ahead of last year’s pace and 3 days ahead of normal. Eighty-four percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted just over 2 weeks ahead of last year and 1 week ahead the 5-year average. Soybeans emerged reached 42 percent, 8 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of normal. Eighty-six percent of the State’s oat crop has emerged. Oats headed reached 15 percent. Oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 13 percent fair, 71 percent good and 15 percent excellent.
Twenty-three percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. Hay condition rated 78 percent good to excellent.
Weather Summary
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Much of southern and eastern Iowa reported rain-free conditions with departures approaching 1.20 – 1.40 inches below normal through the reporting period. Only stations in northwest Iowa received more than a few tenths of an inch. Unseasonably warm temperatures also persisted with a statewide average temperature of 65.0 degrees, 4.1 degrees above normal.
Sunday (11th) afternoon temperatures were in the upper 80s and low 90s northwest while upper 70s were observed southeast under sunny skies. Winds turned east to east-southeasterly on Monday (12th) morning with low temperatures in the 50s. Daytime temperatures rose into the 80s with low relative humidity and sunshine. Very isolated showers clipped the Iowa-Illinois border just after midnight, bringing meager totals to a handful of stations; Park View (Scott County) collected 0.01 inch while Camanche (Clinton County) registered 0.08 inch. Tuesday (13th) dawned with morning temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s with mostly sunny skies. Afternoon temperatures warmed into the 80s with winds out of a southerly direction and spotty clouds in northeastern Iowa, where light showers popped up. Several stations reported minor amounts, ranging from 0.03 inch in Waukon (Allamakee County) to 0.31 inch in Ionia (Chickasaw County). Wednesday (14th) was mirror-image in terms of temperature and wind behavior with cloud cover increasing towards the end of the day as a low pressure center moved into South Dakota.
A line of stronger thunderstorms pushed across the northwest corner of Iowa overnight into Thursday (15th). Rain totals were locally heavy with 0.55 inch in Rock Rapids (Lyon County) to 0.77 inch in Sibley (Osceola County). Winds gradually shifted easterly through the day as a cold front swept west to east. Temperatures varied from low 60s northwest, behind the front, to upper 80s southeast. Winds swung back to the southwest by Friday (16th) with clear morning conditions and temperatures in the mid 50s to low 60s. Several lines of light showers ushered through the state’s northern half with many stations collecting less than 0.10 inch; Sibley observed an additional 0.29 inch with 0.14 inch at Le Mars (Plymouth County) and Orange City (Sioux County). The pattern quieted down into Saturday (17th) with a somewhat damp and chilly start to the day as temperatures held in the 40s with gusty northwesterly winds. Skies cleared from west to east in the afternoon with upper 50s and low 60s statewide. Clouds increased into Sunday (18th) morning over portions of northern Iowa with lows in the 30s to mid 40s.
Weekly rain totals ranged from no accumulation south and east to 1.06 inches in Sibley. The statewide weekly average rainfall was 0.05 inch; the normal is 1.01 inch. Davenport Municipal Airport (Scott County) reported the week’s high temperature of 94 degrees on the 15th, 22 degrees above normal. Mason City (Cerro Gordo County) reported the week’s low temperature of 32 degrees on the 18th, 16 degrees below normal. Soil temperatures were in the upper 50s to low 60s statewide as of Sunday.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
May 5 – 11, 2025
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.
“Much of Iowa enjoyed a stretch of nearly ideal weather this week. The warmer temperatures paired with drier conditions allowed farmers to keep the planters rolling and we saw a big leap in planting progress over the past seven days,” said Secretary Naig. “Looking ahead to next week, there are increased chances of rain and cooler temperatures in the forecast. Farmers will keep an eye on the sky and continue with planting and other field work as conditions allow.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop Report
A warm and dry week made for excellent planting conditions, allowing 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 11, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Producers made quick progress planting corn and soybeans. Conditions were also favorable for spraying.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 22 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 5 percent very short, 24 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.
Corn planted reached 76 percent 8 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn emerged reached 30 percent, 4 days ahead of last year’s pace and 2 days ahead of normal. Sixty-four percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 10 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans emerged reached 16 percent. Nearly all of the oat crop has been planted, with 74 percent emerged, 3 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of normal. Reports of oats starting to head were received. Oat condition rated 85 percent good to excellent, up 6 percentage points from last week.
Six percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed. The first hay rating of the year showed 84 percent in good to excellent condition. Pasture condition rated 64 percent good to excellent, up 4 percentage points from last week. Livestock were reported to be in good condition with some cows and calves turned out on grass.
Weather Summary
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
A stable blocking high pressure system brought unseasonable warmth across Iowa through the reporting period. Temperatures were 10 to 12 degrees above normal in northwestern Iowa with a statewide average temperature of 54.8 degrees, 0.5 degree above normal. Rainfall was generally sparse across the state, though southern and eastern Iowa stations did report measurable amounts.
Sunday (4th) afternoon was pleasant with highs in the upper 60s to low 70s under sunny skies and light, variable winds. Skies remained generally clear into Monday (5th) with morning temperatures in the 40s and spotty clouds southeast. Easterly winds increased through the daylight hours with temperatures rising into the upper 70s in western Iowa with upper 60s farther east. A southerly shifting wind held overnight lows into Tuesday (6th) in the upper 40s and low 50s as starry skies persisted. Afternoon conditions were nice as temperatures climbed into the mid to upper 70s with low relative humidity. Wednesday (7th) morning dawned with cloudless skies, northerly winds and lows in the 50s. Daytime temperatures warmed into the 60s over southern Iowa as a warm front lifted north across Iowa. Winds north of the boundary remained northeasterly as southerly winds held over southern Iowa. With enough forcing and moisture near the surface front, westerly propagating thundershowers formed along a west-to-east line during the evening hours. Of the stations reporting rainfall, most locations observed under a tenth of an inch. The highest totals were found in east-central Iowa, particularly in Linn County; amounts ranged from 0.29 inch in Cedar Rapids to 1.01 inches in Marion. Cloud cover cleared through the nighttime hours with winds shifting easterly.
Thursday (8th) morning started with low temperatures in the 50s with cloudless skies. Afternoon conditions were again ideal with low dewpoint temperatures and highs in the 70s. Morning conditions on Friday (9th) were five to 10 degrees cooler than the prior day with high-level haze and light winds. There was a broad range of temperatures during the afternoon with mid 80s northwest to lows 70s southeast with variable winds statewide. Winds shifted gradually from southerly to northerly into Saturday (10th) as temperatures rose into the 80s and low 90s at a handful of stations. Even with warmer temperatures, anomalously low dewpoints created enjoyable conditions with ample sunshine; the statewide average high was 85 degrees, 16 degrees above normal. Sunday (11th) began warmer than usual, also, with lows in the low 50s southeast to low 60s northwest.
Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation at many stations to 1.09 inches in Marion. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.05 inch; the normal is 1.00 inch. Ames (Story County) reported the week’s high temperature of 92 degrees on the 10th, 23 degrees above normal. Chariton (Lucas County) reported the week’s low temperature of 32 degrees on the 5th, 10 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in upper 50s to low 70s east to west as of Sunday.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
April 28 – May 4, 2025
DES MOINES, Iowa (May 5, 2025) – 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.
“Farmers in some parts of the state have been dealing with wet field conditions after a rainy end to April. The first few days of May have been more favorable for farmers to get back into the fields,” said Secretary Naig. “With the next week or two looking generally warmer and drier, conditions should allow for farmers to make significant planting progress.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop Report
While some producers were able to get into their fields, precipitation continued to delay planting in many parts of the State, allowing only 3.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 4, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 9 percent short, 76 percent adequate and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 18 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.
Corn planted reached 49 percent, 3 days ahead of last year but 2 days behind the 5-year average. Corn emerged reached 10 percent, 2 days ahead of last year’s pace and 3 days ahead of normal. Thirty-eight percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, one week ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans emerged reached 5 percent. Oats seeding reached 91 percent complete. Fifty-eight percent of the expected oat acreage has emerged, 4 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of normal. The first oat condition rating of the season was 1 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 18 percent fair, 66 percent good and 13 percent excellent.
Pasture condition rated 60 percent good to excellent. No livestock issues were reported.
Weather Summary
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Scattered severe thunderstorms early in the reporting period gave way to a less active storm track with widespread, though below-average rainfall; portions of northern and eastern Iowa saw the wettest conditions. Temperatures also moderated from the previous week with a statewide average temperature of 54.8 degrees, 0.5 degrees above normal.
Cloudy skies remained through Sunday (27th) afternoon with southeasterly winds and high temperatures in the mid to upper 60s. Winds increased overnight into Monday (28th) with ample moisture transport into the Midwest ahead of a potent low pressure system. Morning temperatures were unseasonably warm with a statewide average low of 50 degrees, eight degrees above normal. With afternoon conditions in the upper 70s and low 80s and abundant atmospheric instability, isolated severe thunderstorms fired along the low’s attendant dry line; this surface feature is a boundary between very moist air to the east and drier air farther west. Additional storms developed later in the evening along the cold front trailing the dry line with some stronger cells moving through southwest Iowa. Luckily, a warm, stable layer in the lower levels of the atmosphere prevented a more widespread severe weather outbreak. Large hail was observed from Sioux City (Woodbury County) to Osage (Mitchell County) with the largest report being egg-sized hail in Lyon County. The strongest wind gusts were 62 to 64 mph from Ames (Story County) and in Sibley (Osceola County). Rain totals at 7:00 am on Tuesday (29th) were highest along the Iowa-Minnesota border with many stations registering at least 0.50 inch; two Worth County locations, Grafton and Northwood, observed 0.52 inch and 0.91 inch, respectively.
Tuesday (29th) was sunny with daytime highs in the upper 50s north to mid 60s south under northwesterly winds. Starry skies persisted into Wednesday (30th) as winds swung around to an easterly direction. Overcast conditions developed through the late morning as scattered showers moved into southern Iowa. A complex of moderate showers developed across eastern Iowa after sunset with isolated pockets of light rain farther west after midnight on Thursday (1st). Morning lows held in the mid 50s with patchy fog and variable, light winds. Twenty eastern Iowa stations reported more than an inch of rainfall, varying from 1.00 inch at Fairfield (Jefferson County) to 1.81 inches in DeWitt (Clinton County). Totals decreased to a few tenths of an inch towards central Iowa with a pocket of higher amounts in west-central Iowa. Daytime temperatures were only a few degrees warmer through the day as cloud cover remained. Brief clearing over western Iowa allowed early morning lows on Friday (2nd) to dip into the 40s with northwest to westerly winds until another disturbance pushed into southwest Iowa. Showers continued across southern Iowa into the afternoon with isolated cells filling in behind the system. High temperatures remained in the 50s with lingering cloud cover and light winds. Rain totals were generally under 0.20- to 0.50-inch-range, though Atlantic (Cass County) collected 0.55 inch and Earlham (Madison County) observed 0.75 inch. Saturday (3rd) dawned clear across western Iowa with stubborn cloud over eastern Iowa for most of the day. Temperatures varied from the mid 60s northwest to mid 50s southeast as clouds gradually broke over eastern Iowa. Morning lows on Sunday (4th) dropped into the upper 30s and low 40s under clear skies.
Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.05 inch in Iowa Falls (Hardin County) to 1.88 inches in Keokuk (Lee County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.59 inch while the normal is 0.97 inch. Several northwestern stations reported the week’s high temperature of 89 degrees on the 28th, on average 24 degrees above normal. Mason City (Cerro Gordo County) reported the week’s low temperature of 28 degrees on the 1st, 13 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low 50s east to low 60s west as of Sunday.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
April 21-27, 2025
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 28, 2025) – 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.
“Widespread rainfall across the state delayed planting last week, but provided much-needed moisture, easing drought conditions across portions of Iowa,” said Secretary Naig. “Outlooks for the next few weeks show unseasonably warm temperatures and perhaps a break in the wet weather, which would give farmers a window to get in the field. Weather models are showing much of Iowa has an elevated risk of experiencing varying types and strength of severe weather this afternoon and evening. This is a good reminder to Iowans to be vigilant, have safety plans in place and be ready to take shelter if needed.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop Report
Periodic rains throughout the week resulted in just 2.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 27, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. While needed, the precipitation slowed or stopped fieldwork and cool temperatures hampered crop emergence.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 11 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 21 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.
Corn planted reached 34 percent, 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Statewide, corn emerged was 2 percent. Twenty-five percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 1 day ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the 5-year average. Oats seeding reached 81 percent complete, 4 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Forty-one percent of the expected oat acreage has emerged, 3 days behind last year but 4 days ahead of normal.
Pastures and grass continue to green up. Apart from some muddy feedlots, no livestock issues were reported. Some cow calf pairs were being turned out to pasture.
Weather Summary
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Most of Iowa experienced an unseasonably wet reporting period with the passage of several rounds of showers and thunderstorms. The wettest conditions were reported across central to northeast Iowa with positive departures on the order of two to four inches. Warmer than normal temperatures persisted with the statewide average temperature of 55.7 degrees, 2.2 degrees above normal.
A low pressure center moving northeast through Iowa on Sunday (20th) brought widespread, moderate showers over much of the state. More than 200 stations reported at least 1.00 inch of rainfall with nearly 25 eastern Iowa stations at or above 2.00 inches; the statewide average rainfall was 0.99 inch. Clouds gradually cleared over western Iowa into Monday (21st) morning with lows in the 40s statewide. Winds gradually shifted southerly with sunny skies and daytime highs in the upper 70s west to upper 50s east. A complex of showers and a few thunderstorms crossed the Nebraska border and pushed across central and northern Iowa before expanding over eastern Iowa toward sunrise on Tuesday (22nd). Light showers moved over southern Iowa through the day as high temperatures rose into the 60s statewide. Isolated strong thunderstorms with some hail and heavier rain popped overnight in north-central Iowa; moderate rainfall held on in eastern Iowa through late morning on Wednesday (23rd) with two gauges in Tipton (Cedar County) registering 1.83 to 2.05 inches at 7:00 am. Conditions remained unsettled through the day with mid to upper 70s at most locations. Severe-warned thunderstorms fired later in the afternoon in southwestern Iowa and then over north-central Iowa into the nighttime hours. There were several reports of larger hailstones with 1.50-inch hail observed in Fort Dodge (Webster County) and Tama (Tama County). Waterloo Municipal Airport (Black Hawk County) measured 2.48 inches of rainfall from stronger cells. A swath of rain totals above 0.50 inch was also found from southwest to northeast; Sidney (Fremont County) collected 1.16 inches, Webster City (Hamilton County) hit 1.52 inches, while Elkader (Clayton County) observed 1.49 inches.
Thursday (24th) saw more widespread rain across the state, particularly western Iowa as another disturbance pushed through. Daytime temperatures varied from the upper 50s north to mid 70s south. An unstable atmosphere over southwest Iowa supported severe thunderstorms that crossed the Iowa-Nebraska border during the early evening hours; a brief tornado was spotted in Council Bluffs (Pottawattamie County). The aerial coverage of moderate rainfall increased into the nighttime hours and pushed across the state into Friday (25th) morning. Rain amounts were above an inch at more than 50 stations with the highest totals in west-central Iowa; Kirkman (Shelby County) registered 1.99 inches while 2.03 inches was reported in Jefferson (Greene County). Amounts tailed off in eastern Iowa to a few tenths of an inch with an overall statewide average at 0.54 inch. Northerly winds and overcast skies remained through the day as temperatures remained in the 50s. Starry skies were visible overnight into Saturday (26th) with morning lows in the mid 30s northwest to mid 40s southeast. Temperatures warmed into the low 60s in southwestern Iowa as winds returned to a southerly direction. Winds were easterly into central and eastern Iowa with upper 50s over the state’s northern half. Sunday (26th) dawned cloudy with southeasterly winds and readings in the mid 40s to low 50s.
Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.28 inch in Sioux Center (Sioux County) to 5.46 inches in Cedar Falls. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 2.06 inches while the normal is 0.93 inch. Donnellson (Lee County) and Muscatine (Muscatine County) reported the week’s high temperature of 81 degrees on the 24th, on average 16 degrees above average. Spencer Municipal Airport (Clay County) reported the week’s low temperature of 30 degrees on the 26th, nine degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low 50s north to upper 50s south as of Sunday.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
April 14 –20, 2025
“Last week brought another round of severe weather. I visited southwest Iowa over the weekend, where I saw firsthand some of the damage caused by the tornadoes and large hail. My heart goes out to all the Iowans who were impacted by these storms,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig in releasing this week’s crop and weather report from the USDA. “Although many farmers got a good start with spring field work, the widespread rain and storms over the holiday weekend could temporarily pause further progress. Forecasts for the coming week show multiple rounds of showers possible across the state. While more delays may occur, the rain will help replenish soil moisture, which would be a welcome development in many areas.”
Crop Report
Planters were rolling across much of the state before being slowed by precipitation. Iowa farmers averaged 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending April 20, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. In addition to planting corn, soybeans and oats, fieldwork included tiling, building waterways and spraying when winds allowed.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 22 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 3 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 30 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.
Corn planted reached 18 percent, 3 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the 5-year average. Eleven percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, 3 days ahead of last year and 1 week ahead of the 5-year average. Oats seeding reached 68 percent complete, 5 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of the 5-year average. Twenty-three percent of the expected oat acreage has emerged, 4 days behind last year but 5 days ahead of normal.
Weather Summary
In the weather summary provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, an active weather pattern was described across the state, with hail, high winds and a few tornadoes.
These thunderstorms brought above-normal rainfall to swaths of northern and southern Iowa; however, several stations reported no measurable totals. Temperatures were several degrees warmer across the state with Iowa’s average temperature at 52.6 degrees, 3.2 degrees above normal.
Scattered showers with a few rumbles of thunder pushed across northern Iowa on Sunday (13th) afternoon as daytime temperatures rose into the 70s. Several stations reported at least a trace with 0.11 inch in Osage (Mitchell County) and 0.15 inch in Algona (Kossuth). Winds shifted to the northwest overnight into Monday (14th), becoming blustery as lows held in the mid 40s west to low 50s east. Skies over Iowa were partly to mostly cloudy through the day with temperatures in the mid 50s over northern Iowa and a few degrees warmer farther south.
Spotty, light showers moved southeast through the state during the afternoon hours as an upper-level disturbance transited the Upper Midwest. Over 60 stations receiving measurable amounts reported under 0.10 inch except for Lake Park (Dickinson County), which observed 0.12 inch. Gusty northwesterly winds persisted on Tuesday (15th) as clouds cleared in western Iowa at daybreak; morning lows there were in the low 30s while holding in the low 40s in eastern Iowa under cloud cover. Afternoon temperatures warmed into the upper 50s and low 60s with sunshine and patchy haze. Wednesday (16th) started chilly in eastern Iowa where upper 20s and low 30s were observed. Clear skies reigned over the state with an easterly wind signaling a shift to a more active pattern. As a low pressure system approached Iowa, winds swung to a southerly direction, helping boost afternoon highs in the mid to upper 70s in portions of western Iowa; 60s were reported east.
Thursday (17th) was an active weather day across the Midwest with morning temperatures at many stations in the upper 50s and low 60s, 10-20 degrees above normal. The scattered thundershowers that formed before sunrise in central Iowa continued through eastern Iowa before dissipating after noon. Across Iowa’s northern two-thirds, temperatures climbed into the upper 70s and low 80s as dew point temperatures pushed into the upper 50s ahead of ample moisture flow from the Gulf.
As a strong low-pressure system moved across northern Iowa, the attendant cold front fired the first round of strong to severe thunderstorms. During the evening hours, two supercell thunderstorms formed in eastern Nebraska and moved into southwest Iowa. These cells had a history of producing large hail and tornadoes; McClelland reported 4.00-inch hail with 2.75 inches observed in Essex (Page County). This storm had a long-track, wedge tornado that moved from Tabor (Fremont County) to Essex, where a Tornado Emergency was issued. Another tornado was reported by a trained spotter in Oakland (Pottawattamie County). The storms held together into Central and Eastern Iowa, though losing a great deal of strength.
Farther northwest, severe thunderstorms with strong winds and large hail moved over the length of the state. Reports of hail and some wind damage came in from Sioux City (Woodbury County), Storm Lake (Buena Vista County) and Waverly (Bremer County). Event rain totals reported at 7 a.m. on Friday (18th) had nearly 75 stations at or above 0.50 inch with 20 stations collecting an inch or more. The highest totals were southwest and north central with 1.49 inches at Mason City Municipal Airport (Cerro Gordo County) to 2.42 inches in Corning (Adams County), the highest total of the week. Saturday (19th) was pleasant with light winds and highs in the 50s under mostly sunny skies. Overcast conditions developed across southern Iowa into Sunday (21st) morning with temperatures in the upper 30s to mid 40s north to south.
The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.35 inch while the normal is 0.91 inch. Three northwest stations reported the week’s high temperature of 85 degrees on the 17th, on average 26 degrees above average. Several northern stations reported the week’s low temperature of 25 degrees on the 16th, on average nine degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the upper 40s north to upper 50s south as of Sunday.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
April 7-13, 2025
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 14, 2025) – 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.
“Planters are beginning to roll across the state. The warmer temperatures and drier weather over the past week allowed for a good start to the planting season,” said Secretary Naig. “Outlooks for the rest of April are showing better chances for rain and a more active weather pattern. The threat of severe weather is elevated this time of year, so I encourage all Iowans to be weather aware and have a safety plan in place.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop Report
Dry conditions helped Iowa farmers as days suitable for fieldwork increased to 5.9 for the week ending April 13, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork included tillage, seeding oats, and applying anhydrous, manure and dry fertilizer. There were also reports of corn and soybeans being planted.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 7 percent very short, 24 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 9 percent very short, 31 percent short, 59 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Oats seeding reached 47 percent complete, 3 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of the 5-year average. Six percent of the expected oat acreage has emerged, 5 days behind last year but equal to the average.
No livestock issues were reported.
Weather Summary
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
A drier pattern prevailed through the reporting period with most of Iowa’s weather stations reporting no rainfall; southeastern Iowa observed the wettest conditions. Weekly temperatures varied from nearly four degrees above normal in northwest Iowa to a few degrees below average farther east; Iowa’s average temperature was 45.2 degrees, 1.0 degree below normal.
Westerly winds persisted through Sunday (6th) afternoon as daytime temperatures settled in the mid to upper 50s across much of Iowa. Winds shifted to a northerly direction overnight as a weak cold front dropped southeast through the state. Monday (7th) morning lows remained in the upper 30s over southeastern Iowa while low 20s were recorded northwest with clear skies statewide. Daytime highs were unseasonably cold, holding in the upper 30s to mid 40s, with gusty winds and sunshine. Tuesday (8th) dawned frigid across portions of Iowa with low temperatures in the teens to low 20s; the statewide average low was 21 degrees, 13 degrees below normal. Winds swung around to the south through the day, helping boost temperatures into the mid to upper 50s in western Iowa; conditions were several degrees cooler in eastern Iowa where high-level haze was reported. Clouds increased over southern Iowa after midnight as a low pressure system skirted the Iowa-Missouri border. Very light rain was reported in southeastern Iowa with a handful of stations collecting a trace; a 0.01-inch measurement was taken in Donnellson (Lee County) and Yarmouth (Des Moines County) at 7:00 am on Wednesday (9th). Temperatures rose into the upper 60s and low 70s in western Iowa through the day as scattered showers formed on the backside of the disturbance in eastern Iowa. Rain totals were under a tenth of an inch for all stations reporting measurable amounts.
Cloudy skies developed into Thursday (10th) morning with patchy fog in eastern Iowa, where temperatures were in the mid 30s; lows across the state were in the upper 40s and low 50s. The atmosphere over southeastern Iowa became unsettled through the afternoon hours, allowing scattered thundershowers to pop up. These cells moved from northwest to southeast, producing some moderate rainfall accumulations; Salem (Henry County) observed 0.17 inch while Morning Sun (Louisa County) reported the week’s highest total of 0.39 inch. High pressure built in across the Upper Midwest as clouds cleared western Iowa into Friday (11th). Hazy conditions and poor air quality were reported as temperatures rose into the upper 50s and low 60s from east to west. Cloudless skies persisted overnight and through Saturday (12th) with strong southerly winds and daytime temperatures from the low 60s in southeastern Iowa to upper 70s and a few low 80s over the state’s western extent. Gusty winds held on into early Sunday (13th) morning with spotty clouds and readings in the 50s statewide.
The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.02 inch while the normal is 0.79 inch. Little Sioux (Harrison County) reported the week’s high temperature of 82 degrees on the 12th, 21 degrees above average. Elkader (Clayton County) reported the week’s low temperature of 13 degrees on the 8th, 18 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the upper 40s northeast to upper 50s southwest as of Sunday.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report
March 31 – April 6, 2025
DES MOINES, Iowa (April 7, 2025) – 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.
“Each spring brings a renewed sense of optimism for the growing season ahead,” said Secretary Naig. “The initial weather outlooks for the first half of April are leaning warmer and drier, which will make farmers eager to get the planters rolling as soon as field conditions are ready. Thankfully, the drought situation across Iowa is improved compared to last year because of the more active weather pattern we experienced throughout March.”
The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.
Crop Report
Much of the State experienced cooler than normal temperatures and much needed rain showers leaving Iowa farmers with 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 6, 2025, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Minimal fieldwork was done during the week, but some producers were able to plant oats, apply anhydrous, and dry fertilizer.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 22 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 10 percent very short, 34 percent short, 55 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Oats seeding reached 20 percent complete, 8 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of the 5-year average. Oats emerged reached 2 percent.
Calving was in full swing with reports of mud in some areas.
Weather Summary
Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
April began with unseasonably wet conditions across the state with stations in northwest and southern Iowa reporting over 200% of normal rainfall. Temperatures for the first reporting period of the season were colder than average over Iowa’s northwest corner while near-normal conditions were found southeast; Iowa’s average temperature was 40.7 degrees, 2.6 degrees below normal.
A low pressure system continued its path through eastern Iowa on Sunday (30th) afternoon as blustery northwesterly winds built in behind. Rain was reported over much of the state with the highest totals from central to northwest Iowa; Battle Creek (Ida County) reported 0.68 inch while a 0.70-inch total was observed in Webster City (Hamilton County). Measurable snow also accompanied the system with measurements ranging from 0.1 inch in Ames (Story County) to 4.0 inches at Fort Dodge (Webster County). Skies remained mostly cloudy to overcast into Monday (31st) with morning lows in the upper 20s and low 30s. Clearing into the afternoon helped boost highs into the low 50s in southern and eastern Iowa while low to mid 40s blanketed northwestern Iowa. Winds shifted to the east into Tuesday (1st) morning as clouds moved in over western Iowa ahead of another low pressure disturbance. A few waves of moderate rain showers crossed the state into early Tuesday (2nd) morning with stronger thunderstorms firing in western Iowa just after midnight, producing scattered large hail reports. Rain persisted just before noon with a narrow line of thundershowers in northeastern Iowa during the early afternoon. High temperatures rose into the upper 60s to mid 70s in the southeast, nearly 20 degrees above normal. Event rain totals registered at 7:00 am on Wednesday (3rd) showed that most Iowa stations observed at least 0.50 inch with over 70 locations receiving an inch or more. The highest totals were found in northwest eastern Iowa with the Davenport NWS office measuring 1.44 inches. In the northwest, Fonda (Pocahontas County) collected 1.53 inches with an overall statewide average of 0.76 inch. Clouds held over northern Iowa though the afternoon and evening hours with daytime temperatures in the 40s; sunshine across southern Iowa pushed temperatures into the low 50s with light winds.
Winds swung around to the east into Thursday (4th) as partly cloudy skies held lows in the mid 30s over portions of central and western Iowa. Showers associated with a strong surface low moving across the Ohio Valley filtered into southern Iowa during the afternoon hours and lingered into eastern Iowa through late evening. Rain amounts were generally light with the highest totals ranging from 0.20 inch in Mount Union (Henry County) to 0.34 inch in Bloomfield (Davis County). Parts of western Iowa experienced light rainfall as a cold front crossed the state into Friday (5th). Gusty northerly winds developed behind the boundary with overnight lows ranging from the upper 20s northwest to low 40s southeast. Afternoon temperatures stayed in the low to mid 40s as skies cleared with strong northerlies persisting past sunset. Starry skies and light winds allowed substantial surface cooling, resulting in lows in the 20s; the statewide average low was 25 degrees, 10 degrees below normal. Daytime highs rebounded nicely into the mid to upper 50s under variable winds and bright sunshine. A fast moving cold front moved through the Upper Midwest overnight into Sunday (6th), shifting winds back to a northerly direction with upper 20s to low 40s north to south across Iowa.
Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.14 inch in Earling (Shelby County) to 2.03 inches in Fonda. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.88 inch; the normal of 0.67 inch. Multiple eastern Iowa stations reported the week’s high temperature of 75 degrees on the 2nd, on average 17 degrees above average. Audubon (Audubon County) reported the week’s low temperature of 18 degrees on the 6th, 14 degrees below normal. Four-inch soil temperatures were in the low to mid 40s statewide as of Sunday.
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