Spring is finally here and weather conditions are improving in SW Iowa and Eastern Nebraska.  Spring field work, fertilizer applications, and herbicide applications are underway as farmers hit the fields.  Corn planting is in full swing in our area and soybean planting should start soon.  Overall field conditions are good for planting but the topsoil is starting to get a little dry.  Some light rain would be very beneficial to the newly seeded crops.

As most of our readers know, Missouri River flooding was/is severe and the river is still running very high.  North of Council Bluffs the flooding was fairly well contained within the levee.  However, South of Council Bluffs flooding is very widespread and levee breaks all the way down the river to Missouri have created extreme flooding conditions on property east all the way to the bluffs.  Many farms are still underwater and infrastructure has been severely damaged.  We are in the process of accessing damages, but again many farms are still underwater and are not accessible.  There will be cost share funds available for damages and many farms will need extensive repairs.  There is an application process for cost share funds as counties impacted by the flood have requested State and Federal funds.  Once we can make inspections of property we will report what we find and apply for any cost share funds available.  Unfortunately, many bottom farms will not be planted to row crops in 2019 and farmers/owners will need to rely heavily on crop insurance for lost income and recovery of expenses.