Up until today (Wednesday), at least, Iowa farmers were putting in some long hours, taking advantage of good weather while they can, to get all their crops planted. Robert Lynch, who farms north of Fort Dodge, says he worked nearly around the clock on Sunday and finished planting one of his corn fields early Monday morning.

The USDA’s weekly crop update shows 52-percent of the state’s corn acreage was planted as of Sunday. That’s about a week behind last year’s pace, but just a little later than average. “The corn is probably right on line. If we try to get in by the sixth to eighth of May to get our corn finished up, and turn right around and do the beans, it’s probably right on line,” Lynch said. “The beans will be good to get in this early too.”

Statewide, nine-percent of the soybean acreage is planted. That’s about two days behind average.

(Radio Iowa, w/thanks to Dean Borg, Iowa Public Radio)