Latest news with #JustinGlisan
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa crops in good condition following ‘unseasonably cool and wet' conditions last week
Iowa had below average temperatures and above average precipitation last week, according to the weekly crop report. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa's statewide temperatures were nearly 10 degrees Fahrenheit below normal last week, and the state had almost double the normal amount of precipitation, according to State Climatologist Justin Glisan. The rain came at a good time following corn and soybean planting, which is more than 90% complete across the state, and helped to replenish soil moisture conditions. The latest crop progress and condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture rated corn and soybeans for the first time this season. Corn measured 83% good or excellent, and soybeans at 80% good or excellent. Most of the crops have emerged as of the May 19 through May 25 reporting period. Soybean emergence, at 60%, is eight days ahead of last year and four ahead of the average. Seventy-six percent of corn has emerged, putting it six days ahead of last year's pace and just two ahead of the average. Nearly all of the season's oat crop has emerged, and 26% has headed. Hay in the state is also reaching maturity and 40% of the first cut has been completed. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the 'cool and soggy' conditions from last week sidelined some work for farmers, who had an average of 3.8 days suitable for fieldwork. '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,' Naig said. Indeed, the week's moisture returned soil moisture conditions to their admirable ratings from earlier this spring. Subsoil moisture conditions rated 67% adequate and 76% of topsoil conditions rated adequate for the state. Central Iowa, which saw 250-300% normal rainfall for the reporting period, had 16% of its topsoil condition rated surplus. The average temperature across the state measured 55 degrees Fahrenheit, which is 8 degrees below normal, according to Glisan who said the week had 'unseasonably cool and wet' conditions. Average rainfall for the period was 2.10 inches, a full inch above the normal. According to the report, many farmers are waiting for drier, warmer conditions to begin spraying their fields. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Planting persists despite rainy conditions in Iowa
A farmer in Carroll County preps his field for planting. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa farmers had just over two days suitable for field work last week due to rainy conditions, but the percentages of corn and soybean acres planted remain ahead of average rates, according to the state's crop progress and condition report. State Climatologist Justin Glisan said Iowa had 'an unseasonably wet reporting period' with the average precipitation for the week above 2 inches and more than 5 inches in some areas of the state. The precipitation raised soil moisture conditions, making topsoil conditions 86% adequate or wetter. Subsoil conditions rated 67% adequate moisture. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Thirty-four percent of Iowa's corn acres and 25% of soybean acres are in the ground, which is up from 18% and 11% respectively from last week. Northwest Iowa has the highest percentages of crops in the group. Temperatures for the reporting period of April 21 through April 27 averaged in the mid 50s, which is 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit higher than normal. Iowa oat farmers are almost finished seeding as more than 80% of oat acres have been planted, though only 41% of anticipated oat acres have emerged, which is three days behind the year prior. Pastures in Iowa rated 91% fair or better and according to the report, some cow calf pairs across the state were put on pasture. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the upcoming warm temperatures and potential break in rain events should 'give farmers a window to get in the field.' The secretary also noted the Monday night forecast, which shows a potential for severe weather in the state. 'This is a good reminder to Iowans to be vigilant, have safety plans in place and be ready to take shelter if needed,' Naig said in a statement. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Planting underway across Iowa, some farms impacted by storms last week
Spring planting is underway in Iowa. (Photo courtesy of Iowa Corn Growers Association) Iowa farmers made headway planting corn, soybeans and oats early last week, but were slowed by storms that caused destruction in southwest Iowa, according to the Iowa crop progress and condition report. The report, covering April 14 through April 20, shows Iowa has 68% of oats planted, 18% of corn and 11% of soybeans. Planting rates for all three of these crops are ahead of the five-year average. Topsoil and subsoil moisture conditions improved slightly from the week prior, though both have more than 60% rated as adequate moisture. Soil moisture conditions are slightly better than last year at this time. Soil temperatures measured at a depth of four inches show the ground has warmed up, with most counties measuring in the upper 40s to low 50s. Other field activities for the period included tiling, building waterways and spraying. Iowa crop progress and condition reports are released weekly by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service during planting season and through harvest season. Average precipitation for April 14-20 was 0.35 inches across the state, though several areas measured more than an inch and up to nearly 2.5 inches following thunderstorms April 17. Some counties observed hail as large as 4 inches during the storms and two tornadoes touched down, one in Fremont County near Tabor, and the other moved across Fremont and Page counties. According to State Climatologist Justin Glisan, hail and wind damage was reported in Sioux City, Storm Lake and Waverly, in addition to the counties that saw tornadoes. Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation, in response to the severe weather, for Buena Vista, Fremont, Page, and Plymouth counties. The proclamation opens up state resources to respond to the damages and gives eligible Iowans 45 days to apply for the Iowa Individual Assistance Grant Program to help with associated repairs and other costs. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig visited some of areas hit by the storms. 'I visited southwest Iowa over the weekend, where I saw firsthand some of the damage caused by the tornadoes and large hail,' Naig said in a statement. 'My heart goes out to all the Iowans who were impacted by these storms.' Precipitation predictions for the coming week suggest Iowa will have above average rainfall across most of the state, which Naig said might slow spring planting progress as it did the week prior. 'While more delays may occur, the rain will help replenish soil moisture, which would be a welcome development in many areas,' Naig said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Scientists sound the alarm on dramatic shift in winter weather — here's how it could impact you
Iowa is getting significantly less snow in the 2024-2025 season, signaling a snow drought. According to DTN, Sioux City's January snowfall is 42% below average. This is the same for many cities across the state. Des Moines' snowfall for January and December was 70% below average. January has been tough on many of these Iowa cities, with most experiencing 80% below-average snowfall. Mason City had no snowfall for the first 30 days of the year. These snowfalls are in stark contrast to the 2023-2024 season, when snowfall for one month reached 24 to 27 inches. Justin Glisan, a climatologist for the Iowa Department of Agriculture, noted that snowpacks are essential for moisture when the snow thaws. Without the snow, the soil can also have "deeper frost depths." According to the Ohio Farm Bureau, snow is extremely beneficial for farming. It acts like a warm blanket, keeping the ground warmer than the air temperature, acting as a natural fertilizer by picking up nitrogen and sulfur as it falls, and keeping the ground moist. If the layer of snow isn't there, the cold dries up the ground just like it does with skin. When it melts, 20% to 25% of it is absorbed into the ground. It's unclear how this snow drought will affect the upcoming growing season. Glisan said, "I wouldn't draw any conclusions from a dry winter and upcoming growing season conditions." However, DTN noted that even if February brought the typical amount of snow, Iowa would still be 28% to 55% below average for the entire season. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System, "Snowpack is a valuable metric for monitoring the impact" of polluting gases "because it is affected by changes in temperature." Western U.S. data shows that "the volume of snowpack is declining, caused by warming temperatures." Iowa isn't the only place to see declining snowpacks. A Dartmouth College study found that snowpacks in the Northern Hemisphere have also declined over the last 40 years. Do you think our power grid needs to be upgraded? Definitely Only in some states Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Less snow also hurts snow-dependent industries in the area, such as skiing. The Gazette said that "Sundown Mountain Resort in Dubuque says it's having a 'good year' despite the lack of snow, but other businesses struggle during this unusual winter." Cortney Baker, a store manager in Cedar Rapids, told the Gazette that the unseasonably dry and warm winter has meant the store has not sold as many winter coats or hats or sold or rented as much winter-based recreational equipment. "We've had [about a week] in the last two to three seasons of being able to actually rent them out. Because of that we decided that it's just not worth holding on to that inventory," Baker told The Gazette. "It's unfortunate, but we've decided to kind of sell off our rental fleet at the moment, just because the weather's been so unpredictable." Since snow droughts are related to rising temperatures caused by polluting gases, many initiatives exist to mitigate this. Many countries agreed on targets of lowering their polluting gases through the Paris Agreement. You can also use your voice by speaking with your representatives to ensure they continue to work towards meeting these targets. If you live in a snow-drought area, you can help by doing things that waste less water. You can collect snow for your garden or use native plants that don't need as much water for your yard. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
