By: Donovan W. Mann – [email protected]
Clarion, IA – An agronomist from the local extension and outreach office provides an update on the progress from the early phases of planting season in Iowa.
Planting season is well underway in the state of Iowa. Farmers are now in their field and assuring their crops are ready to grow for the summer and their field a plentiful. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Agronomist Angela Rieck-Hinz provides KHBT with an update on progress in the agriculture industry.
She says this year’s planting season is in a much better place than in years past. “Planting season in Iowa has been great this spring” Rieck-Hinz says. On a statewide average she says as of May 10 corn planting is about 90% complete. Compared to last year the state was not at that level until the beginning of June and the five year average is about two weeks later.
Rieck-Hinz says the COVID-19 pandemic has had a minimal impact when it comes to planting season. She says that she hasn’t heard any problems for farms not being able to get supplies like seeds or herbicides. However, she does know co-ops are being very precautious and putting protective policies in place. This includes no contact pick up and not allowing non-essential personnel into their facilities.
Planting season provides a sense of normalcy to more than just farmers. “To be honest, I think continuing with our normal spring field activity has been a positive thing for a lot of people” Rieck-Hinz says. She says it provides people something different to focus on other than the virus.
Spring is well underway and so is planting season in the state of Iowa. While there is still a lot of uncertainty that surrounding what is currently going on in the world, one thing is for sure. Iowa farmers will continue forward with their planting and growing seasons.