News
Planting delays continue in Iowa
A southern Iowa farmer says wet fields will keep him out of his tractor until next week.
Ray Gaesser tells Brownfield it’s been raining off and on since the end of April. “I think about two inches of rain since last Thursday night,” he said.
Gaesser says half of his corn has been planted, along with 25 percent of the soybean crop. “The corn is sprouting, so that’s a good thing,” he said. “I haven’t looked at the soybeans.”
He says his family was finished at this time last year. “Mid-to-upper 80s for highs next week, so that should help the drying,” Gaesser said. “We just haven’t had any drying weather.”
Gaesser says if the weather forecast holds true next week, he’ll be able to make significant planting progress. The latest USDA crop progress report showed the western third of Iowa is the furthest along on planting.
Gaesser raises corn and soybeans near Corning in Adams County.
