Despite a delayed planting season, Iowa farmers have come to the final stretch of #plant18. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Iowa corn farmers have planted 86 percent of their crop, 5 days behind last year. Last week, farmers were able to plant 21 percent of Iowa’s expected 13.3 million acres of corn. North central Iowa farmers planted nearly half of their expected corn crop this past week. Fifty-three percent of the crop has emerged, one day behind last year. As we wrap up planting, Iowa Corn would like to give you a few resources and facts to aid you in your coverage:
• Iowa Corn Planting Sites - Iowa State provides the three-day forecast and soil temperatures by county. Click here for the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) crop condition report for Iowa. Per the USDA NASS’s Prospective Plantings report, Iowa farmers intend to 13.3 million acres of corn in 2018. This is unchanged from 2017. Click here to view and download the National Corn Growers Association’s Latest Corn Update Report including useful charts.
• The volunteer farmer-leaders that serve the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) are available to do phone interviews upon request.
• Click here to download corn planting b-roll.
• Click here to download planting photos from the Blair family farm in Dayton, Iowa. Please attribute to Iowa Corn.
• Follow this year’s planting action at #Plant18 using our Facebook and Twitter pages.
CONTACT: Lisa Cassady, Iowa Corn Public Relations Manager, lcassady@iowacorn.org, 515-225-9242
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The Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB), works to develop and defend markets, fund research, and provide education about corn and corn products. The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is an 8,000-member strong grassroots-driven organization, headquartered in Johnston, Iowa, serving members across the state, and lobbying on agricultural issues on behalf of its farmer members to create opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability. For more information, visit iowacorn.org.