This information was summarized from an April 29 teleconference with Iowa State University extension field crop specialists

• Statewide rainfall was reported during the past week.
• Corn planting ranges from 50 to 70 percent completed in the western and southern counties to 10 to 20 percent completed in the northeastern counties. A few fields are just emerging (stage VE) in the southern half of Iowa.
• Soybean planting has not progressed much from the few fields planted last week.
• Spraying has been problematic in some areas because of windy conditions.
• Alfalfa fields generally are in good-to-excellent condition. Alfalfa weevils were reported in a few locations in southern Iowa, but at populations well below economic thresholds.
• Wheat fields in southern Iowa are between 10 and 14 inches in height and are now jointed.
• Most winter annual weeds are now approaching full bloom, and giant ragweed is up and actively growing.
• Dingy cutworms have been reported in scattered locations around Iowa. See the article [1] in this issue of the ICM newsletter for information on black cutworm and projected dates to start scouting.