OTTUMWA —
The rains Iowa has needed for months are finally starting to make a difference in the soil conditions.
The weekly crop condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said 60 percent of topsoil in Iowa is "very short" of moisture. That actually represents an improvement.
How dry has it been? Seventy percent of subsoil in the state is still considered "very short" of moisture.
It's all too late for the state's corn crop, though. Fifty-one percent of the crop rates as poor or very poor, a slight decline since last week's report. Soybeans benefitted, though, with the first statewide improvement in seven weeks.
But even the rain has been short of what would be considered normal, according to State Climatologist Harry Hillaker.
"The statewide average precipitation was 0.44 inches or a little less than one-half of the weekly normal of 0.96 inches. This was the eighth consecutive drier than normal week for Iowa," he wrote.
The rain has returned to Iowa in sufficient amounts to reverse one trend. When July arrived, none of the state's counties were under burn bans. Well over half were under bans by the end of the month.
Now, some of those bans are being rescinded. Marion County residents saw their ban dropped on Monday, following a damp weekend.
CNHI/SE Iowa
Rains boost soybeans statewide
- CNHI/SE Iowa
-
-
VIDEO: Actor James Gandolfini dies at 51
HBO and his managers say James Gandolfini -- best known for his role as Tony Soprano in the TV series "The Sopranos" -- has died in Italy at age 51.
-
Owning a pit bull in Pa. is doggone expensive
Pit bulls “are considered dangerous animals/dogs and potentially hazardous to the community,” a Bessemer, Pa., ordinance states.
-
VIDEO: Snake learns how to open doors
We've seen cats open doors. We've seen dogs open doors. But have you ever seen a snake open a door? This python can.
-
Men's Wearhouse founder George Zimmer fired
Men's Wearhouse's board fired George Zimmer, the founder and public face of the company, as executive chairman without saying why and delayed its annual shareholder meeting.
-
VIDEO: Obama renews call for nuclear reductions
President Barack Obama is calling for a one-third reduction of the world's nuclear stockpiles. Speaking at Berlin's iconic Brandenburg Gate, he says he intends to seek negotiated cuts with Russia to move beyond a Cold War nuclear posture.
-
Transportation group slams Iowa bridges
An advocacy group says Iowa's bridges are, as a group, more likely to be deficient than those found in most states. Transportation for America ranked Iowa third from the bottom nationally.
-
VIDEO: Journalist Michael Hastings killed in Hollywood crash
A man killed in a fiery car crash in Hollywood on Tuesday was award-winning journalist Michael Hastings, his employer said.
-
Are sunscreen chemicals something to worry about?
As the season of bare skin and scorching sun draws near, you — like so many other people — may find yourself scratching your head over sunscreen.
-
Eldest of 19 Duggar kids hired by D.C. lobbying group
After three decades of fighting the culture wars from within the Washington establishment, the conservative Family Research Council decided that it needed a fresh, new face to reach outside and cultivate the grass roots.
-
Indoor R/C raceway features dirt track
If rain washes out the races at the Southern Iowa Speedway, you can still catch some racing action at Kelderman’s Hobby Shack Raceway at the Heartland Center, live or soon, via the Internet.
- More CNHI/SE Iowa Headlines
-
James Gandolfini Dies at Age 51
Fmr. TWA Flight 800 Investigators Want New Probe
Raw: Heat, Spurs Back on Court Ahead of Game 7
Dolce and Gabbana Convicted of Tax Evasion
Paris, Prince Depositions Used in Jackson Trial
Coiffed Cattle Get Their Close-up
In Berlin, Obama Channels Cold War Activism
Police at Patriots Tight End's Home for 2nd Day
Fed Suggests Bond Purchases Could Slow
AP: DOJ Broke Own Rules Seizing Phone Records
Raw: Baby White Rhino Debuts at Australian Zoo
Time Lapse: Rebuilding Bridge Post-collapse
Ohio Woman Accuses 3 of Holding Her Captive
Hunt for Ex-Teamster Boss Hoffa's Remains Ends
