(Lewis) Drought conditions continue to linger across the state as we head into the 2024 planting season. Except for the extreme northwest, which is listed as abnormally dry, the rest of Iowa is under some drought category.
Iowa State Extension Agronomist Aaron Saeugling is concerned about soil moisture availability. The snow received in mid-January soaked in amounted to about one, maybe two inches of moisture.
Saeugling admits it is hard to predict the future because, more often than not, we get enough rain. He says if the weather continues in this same pattern, he might want to change a few things heading into this planting season.
Saeugling says if it stays dry into planting season, he might suggest backing down on the population.
Saeugling is nervous about doing excessive tillage that will dry out the soil and terminate the cover crops earlier than usual.
