WATERLOO - Crops are developing slow statewide due to cool, wet weather.

Corn and soybean planting throughout the state is about right on schedule, but seeds aren't growing as fast as normal. When it comes to pasture growth, Monday's U.S. Department of Agriculture Crops and Weather Report said fields have failed to meet expectations.

Reports from some northern counties expressed concern that excessive rains is keeping soybeans from being planted, and causing other corn and soybean fields to be replanted. In Northeast Iowa, a crop expert said a few corn fields needed to be replanted due to frost damage.

"We're talking about a field here and a field there. While it's of expense to the farmer is happened to, it's not widespread," said Brian Lang, Iowa State University Extension crop specialist based in Decorah.

Ninety-eight percent of Iowa's corn is planted, 3 percent ahead of the five-year average. Corn emergence is at 76 percent, slightly above the five-year average of 72 percent, but below last year's total of 88 percent.

Soybean planting progressed to 70 percent complete as of Sunday, near the five year average of 69 percent. However, crop emergence is at 21 percent, which is well below last year's progress of 52 percent and the five-year average of 30 percent.

Lang said soil temperatures are averaging in the low 60s, which is good for this time of year, but dramatically dipped earlier in the month to stifle development. Growing degree days - heat units needed to raise a crop - are also behind.

From May 1-22, Fayette recorded 208 GDDs. During that time, Calmar has had 164 and Nashua had 182. It takes between 110 to 120 to get a crop out of the ground.

Adverse weather has also caused some corn to become an unhealthy yellow. However, with a warmer and favorable forecast, Lang believes crops will green up again.

John Thoma, who farms northeast of Waterloo, said he's apparently one of the lucky ones.

"No emergence problems here. I'm very happy with the way things look," Thoma said.

Oat emergence is virtually complete statewide. One percent of the fields are headed.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay is at 4 percent, according to the report. Lang said the adverse weather will make the first cutting short, but fields should rebound by the next one.

Older stands, or those four years old or older, are not looking good. Repeated frosts took a toll on less hardy older plants, Lang said.

"They were already thin going into the winter and the weather this spring put a big hurt on them," he said.

Livestock are generally reported to be in good condition, though some northern counties reported stresses due to muddy lots and pastures.

Contact Matthew Wilde at (319) 291-1579 or matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com.