DES MOINES — Iowa farmers got some late-week rain relief as corn and soybean development continued to move along at a strong pace, according to the latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report for June 1-7, 2026.
The weekly report, released June 8 by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, showed Iowa had 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week. That is slightly above the 4.7 days reported during the same week last year.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said showers and thunderstorms late last week helped drier parts of the state, especially across southern and eastern Iowa.
“Showers and thunderstorms late last week delivered relief to drier areas, particularly across southern and eastern Iowa,” Naig said. “Forecasts call for a warm-up this week, with temperatures climbing into the 90s. Farmers looking to make progress on the first-cutting of hay and completing other field work will have to deal with several more chances of showers and thunderstorms throughout the week.”
Topsoil moisture was rated 5 percent very short, 19 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 5 percent very short, 21 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.
Corn planting in Iowa reached 98 percent complete, just 1 percentage point behind last year. Corn emergence reached 92 percent, which is 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Corn condition was rated 84 percent good to excellent.
Soybean planting reached 97 percent complete, unchanged from last year. Soybean emergence reached 86 percent, 1 percentage point behind last year. Soybean condition was rated 80 percent good to excellent.
Oats also remained in strong shape, with 99 percent emerged, 1 percentage point ahead of last year. Oat condition was rated 84 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition was rated 74 percent good to excellent.
The state’s weather picture was more mixed, with heavy rain in some areas after what State Climatologist Justin Glisan said was Iowa’s 35th driest May in 154 years of statewide records.
June began with wet conditions along a southwest-to-northeast stretch of Iowa. The statewide average temperature for the week was 72.8 degrees, which was 5.9 degrees above normal.
Thunderstorms late Sunday, May 31, brought reports of large hail, straight-line winds and isolated tree damage along the western side of the state. Rainfall amounts included 1.00 inch in Persia in Harrison County and 2.16 inches in Bedford in Taylor County.
More storms developed during the week. On Thursday, June 4, a line of showers and thunderstorms pushed across Iowa as a cold front moved through the state. More than 130 stations reported at least an inch of rain, while nearly 30 reported at least two inches. Story City reported 2.50 inches, while Independence and Winthrop in Buchanan County reported 3.52 inches and 4.00 inches, respectively.
Southern Iowa saw another round of heavy rain Friday evening. Several storms became tornado warned, though no touchdowns were reported. Lucas County saw some of the heaviest rainfall, with reports of flooded basements and washed-out roads. Rainfall totals included 3.40 inches in Williamson, 4.09 inches in Chariton and 4.62 inches in Russell.
Weekly precipitation totals ranged from just 0.03 inch in Sac City to 5.52 inches in Russell. The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.17 inches, nearly matching the normal of 1.18 inches.
Temperatures also ran warm. Several Iowa stations reported a weekly high of 93 degrees on June 6, about 15 degrees above normal. Elkader reported the week’s low temperature of 41 degrees on June 3, which was 11 degrees below normal.
The Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report is released weekly from April through November.