HUDSON - Corn planting is falling behind schedule in some parts of Iowa, though some farmers are nearing completion.

Monday's U.S. Department of Agriculture Crops and Weather report said 15 percent of the state's corn is in the ground. This is 17 percent behind last year's pace, but only 2 percent slower than the five-year average.

The report indicated the 2-plus inches of rain that many counties received last week will help provide plenty of soil moisture for germination and during the first part of the growing season, but it's coming at a time farmers would rather be planting.

Farmers aren't getting worried yet, especially Jared Owen. His family's farm ground south of Hudson didn't get as much rain as other parts of the state. He said they got a little more than 1 inch last week.

Owen, part-owner of K&O Farms with his brother and two nephews, started planting April 8. Operating a field cultivator as his nephew, Alan Karkosh followed with the planter, Owen said they would finish planting commercial corn Monday, about a week ahead of schedule.

"We're getting along real good. We're not getting nervous to get the seed corn in yet," Owen said.

He notice many neighbors out in the fields Monday. Statewide, primary seedbed preparations were 69 percent complete as of Sunday, while fertilizer applications were 84 percent complete.

Iowa State University Extension research shows optimum yields occur if corn is planted by May 10 and soybeans are in the ground sometime in the first three weeks of next month.

According to the report, about 2 million of the state's projected 12.8 million acres of corn is planted. Farmers in the east central part of the state have planted the most at 36 percent, while Northeast Iowa sits at 11 percent.

Owen welcomes planting dates inching earlier as technology allows.

"Some of our emerged corn did freeze off. But the growing point is still under ground. I'm not too worried," Owen said.

Oat seedings are 92 percent as of Sunday, above the five-year average of 84 percent. About 60 percent of the crop has emerged.

Brian Lang, ISU Extension crop specialist based in Decorah, said farmers may have to start scouting earlier for some pests due to warm temperatures this spring. Growing degree days are often used to predict insect activity.

"For example, we recommend to start scouting for alfalfa weevils at 250 degree days. This normally occurs around May 8. We reached that point (late last week)," Lang said.

Significant flights of black cutworms have been reported in southern Iowa, but none in Northeast Iowa yet.

Calving is well under way with some reports of stresses on calves due to continued wet, muddy conditions. There were some reports of scours.

Some reporters commented on lush, green pastures due to recent rains.

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