Journal Express, Knoxville, IA

CNHI/SE Iowa

Discussion

Add a comment on this story
July 30, 2012

Report says rains too late for corn

MATT MILNER CNHI

OTTUMWA — Last week's rains were, at best, a mixed blessing for Iowa farmers.

The weekly Iowa crops and weather report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture recognized that much of the state received rain for the first time in weeks. But the crop conditions didn't improve. The rain came too late for Iowa's corn and wind, "flattened the weakened crop in some areas."

Almost half (46 percent) percent of corn statewide rated as poor or very poor.

The assessment offered a bleak, one-sentence  summary of conditions: "Farmers continue to chop corn."

Soybeans are in better shape. Forty-one percent rate as fair and 24 percent are good, according to the report. But less than 20 percent of the state's pastures are fair or better.

Southeast Iowa received about four-fifths of an inch of rain during the week, which may have come soon enough to help the soybean fields in the area. It was the wettest week Iowa has seen in five weeks, but was still the 11th in 12 weeks with below-average rainfall.

Overall, the Ottumwa area remains nearly four inches below normal rainfall levels.

State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said in the report that the high temperature of 107 in Fairfield last Monday was the highest official reading in the state since 1999. Fairfield was one of three cities to hit 107 last week.

Hillaker said preliminary data suggests this will go down as the third hottest July on record and the fifth driest. Records go back 140 years.

Text Only
CNHI/SE Iowa
Features
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Facebook
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Poll

Do you intend to volunteer for RAGBRAI®'s stop in Knoxville?

Yes
No
     View Results