The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship released its weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report on April 20, with Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig addressing the impact of recent severe weather across the state. The report, published by the United States Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service, covers agricultural conditions from April through November.
The weekly update is important for farmers, policymakers, and residents as it tracks planting progress and weather events that affect Iowa’s agriculture sector. Iowa holds a leading position in national production of pork, corn, eggs, ethanol, and biodiesel according to the department’s official website.
Naig said last week brought challenges: “Last week’s active weather pattern presented plenty of severe weather challenges across the state. Farmers certainly welcomed the moisture, but we could have gone without the wind, hail and tornadoes,” he said. “This week looks to be a bit quieter, and that will help farmers as they look to get the planters rolling.”
According to this week’s report, there were only 2.7 days suitable for fieldwork—2.8 days fewer than last year—with topsoil moisture rated at mostly adequate or surplus levels. Corn planting reached just two percent complete—14 percentage points behind last year—and soybean planting was one percent complete compared to ten percent at this time in 2025. Oats seeding was also behind schedule at 51 percent complete.
Severe thunderstorms produced hail, flash flooding, tornadoes and above-average rainfall over several days during the reporting period. State Climatologist Justin Glisan described how temperatures averaged more than eleven degrees above normal statewide while rainfall totals ranged from no accumulation in some areas up to over four inches elsewhere.
The department supports conservation through no-interest loans and grants for stormwater management practices according to its official website. It also works statewide to aid agriculture as well as land and water resources according to its official website. Policy efforts include initiatives like the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy aimed at reducing nutrient runoff into waterways according to its official website.
The department seeks not only economic growth but also social benefits by enhancing rural communities through agricultural development according to its official website. Its mission is “to champion farmers, safeguard consumers and natural resources, bolster rural areas, and foster a robust agricultural sector for all residents” according to its official website.
