DES MOINES —
While the state's drought situation improved slightly last wee, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says there has been little change with crop conditions in Iowa.
The weekly crop and weather report shows unchanged moisture levels. That's bad news for farmers, who must contend with far less moisture than the crops need. Fully 60 percent of the state's topsoil is rated very short. Surprisingly, that's better than the 70 percent of subsoil moisture, which is rated 70 percent very short.
The report indicates 13 percent of the state's corn crop is mature, three weeks ahead of last year's progress. Almost a quarter, 23 percent, of the state's corn rates as very poor. An additional 30 percent is considered as poor condition.
Soybeans have fared better. Only 14 percent of that crop rates as very poor, while another 23 percent rates as poor condition.
State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said the state has finally seen relief from a very hot summer, with the last week below normal for most of Iowa. How cool was it? Hillaker wrote that last week was the coolest since early June.
But the rain has varied widely.The area around Shenandoah received no rain, while parts of Washington County received 0.6 inches of rain.
It's not enough.
"Rainfall, while greater than seen during July, has remained below normal for nine consecutive weeks," Hillaker wrote.
CNHI/SE Iowa
Crops still hurting despite heat's end
- CNHI/SE Iowa
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